Nana Okobeng Amponsah with the award
The Western Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has revoked an award it presented to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Okobeng Mining Company Limited in the region, Nana Okobeng Amponsah.
According to the Regional Health Directorate, it routinely honours individuals for their support to the health sector as part of its Annual Performance Review process.
So this year, Nana Okobeng Amponsah’s name was submitted to the Directorate among others for consideration probably because he constructed a health facility for a community in the region.
Subsequently, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at its Annual Performance Review in Takoradi, the Western Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service presented an award to the miner.
The award was presented to Nana Okobeng Amponsah by the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah.
However, after the presentation, the Health Directorate claimed it has received numerous complaints with copious evidence against Mr. Okobeng and the operations of his company, Okobeng Mining Company Limited.
This includes environmental degradation which has significant implications for health.
A statement issued by the Regional Health Directorate and signed by its Director, Dr. Yaw Ofori Yeboah indicated that the operations of Okobeng Mining Company Limited are contrary to the principles of the Ghana Health Service.
The statement added that following the numerous complaints and evidence received by the GHS on the operations of Okobeng Mining Company Limited, the award has been revoked.
“We have also cited petitions by chiefs and the youth of your area against your company for acts that run counter to the principles behind our award.
“In view of the revelations, we hereby unreservedly revoke the award presented to you on March 28, 2023 and dissociate ourselves from the operations of your company,” the statement pointed out.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi