Raymond Nana Ebbah – DCE
An allegation that some politically exposed persons in the Amenfi East Municipality of the Western Region want to forcefully take over a mining concession belonging to a private small-scale mining company in the area has sparked tension in the municipality.
According to some of the residents, Kofreze Construction and Engineering Limited is a small-scale mining company which acquired its concession legally.
They, therefore, could not fathom why some politicians want to take over the company’s concession at all cost and have allowed illegal miners to invade the concession.
According to the residents and workers at the site, the situation has created tension within the community as excavators and mining equipment belonging to the alleged galamsey operators continue to operate openly on the concession despite repeated complaints to the authorities.
In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, the Managing Director of Kofreze Construction, Fred Korankye, alleged that the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and some suspected illegal miners, also called ‘galamseyers’, want to take over the concession.
He explained that his company duly acquired the mining concession through the appropriate state regulatory bodies and followed the required procedures, and was granted the legal authority to undertake mining activities within the area.
He, however, claimed that the illegal miners who have invaded the concession and are carrying out their mining operations have political backing.
He indicated that the matter has officially been reported to both the District and Regional Police Commands, but no concrete action has so far been taken to halt the activities or remove the alleged illegal operators from the concession.
He further disclosed that several petitions and letters have also been submitted to key state institutions, demanding urgent intervention and protection for the licensed concession holders.
He named the institutions as the National Security Secretariat, Minerals Commission, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
“Despite these formal complaints, the alleged illegal mining activities are continuing unabated,” he pointed out.
Mr. Korankye accused state institutions of failing to enforce mining laws and protect legally acquired concessions.
He indicated that the silence of the authorities is emboldening the illegal miners, and further undermine investor confidence in Ghana’s mining sector.
MCE Reacts
Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Amenfi East, Raymond Nana Ebbah, has denied the allegations levelled against him.
He explained that as an MCE, he has no authority to revoke mining licences. He said when he became the MCE, the MD of Kofreze Construction approached him and said he had a concession that he wanted to give to some Chinese miners to work on.
“But I told him that the Chinese nationals cannot work on the concession because the country’s laws do not permit foreigners to engage in small-scale mining.
“Apart from that, I do not know anything about what he is talking about,” the MCE told DAILY GUIDE.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi