Traditional authorities led by the Paramount Chief of Suaman Traditional Area, Odeneho Brentum IV, are calling on the president, Nana Add Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to as a matter of urgency remove the District Chief Executive for Suaman, Phillip Kwabena Boahene, for his alleged involvement in galamsey activities in the area.
In a press statement, the Paramount Chief indicated that the DCE has allegedly involved himself in a series of compromised positions that go against the interest of his administration and the chieftaincy institution.
Acting President and the Abakomahene of the Suaman Traditional Council Nana Ebbi Kwaw Dehyie II, addressing the media on behalf of the Paramount chief, blamed the DCE for being the main architect and brainchild of all ongoing illegal mining being carried out in the district.
“Mr. President, I can state in unequivocal language that Hon. Philip Kwabena Boahene is the main architect and the brainchild of all ongoing illegal mining / Galamsey activities being carried out in the district. Even though your government has waged a relentless war against illegal mining. This DCE is neck-deep in the act against the collective interest of your Administration. He clandestinely creates, loots, and shares the proceeds of illegal mining with his agents and assigns,” the statement indicated.
He further alleged that the DCE has also been supervising the smuggling of Ghana’s cocoa beans from the district to Ivory Coast, thereby denying the country the opportunity to raise revenue due to his parochial interest.
“The DCE in question has always been aiding and abetting in high crimes against the republic’s interest through his executive powers. He has been supervising the smuggling of Ghana’s high-quality cocoa beans from the Districts to Ghana’s Western Neighbors of Ivory Coast thereby denying the country the opportunity to raise more foreign exchange because of his parochial and selfish interest.
“The DCE has unilaterally allocated between 700 to 1000 acres of stool lands and diverted same to a subsidiary company (Afarinick and Kumad Company Ltd.) operating under Ghana Cocoa Board, contractors, and miners without the involvement of me as the Paramount Chief of the Suaman Traditional Area and that, all compensations, royalties, and grounds rent issues were single-handedly determined by him and he pockets the proceeds,” the statement alleged.
He further mentioned some other allegations which include, the illegal selling of over 60 quarry chippings to the contractor working on the Dadieso and Sefwi Juaboso Road, allocation of about 700-1000 acres of stool lands, the installation of a Zongo and Youth chiefs among several other allegations.
The traditional authorities further stated that their internal investigations have revealed the DCE’s illegal activities are endorsed by the Regional Minister.
They are, therefore, calling on the government to, as a matter of urgency, remove the District Chief Executive from office.
Meanwhile, the DCE in question has debunked the allegations leveled against him.
According to him, he has been at the forefront of fighting against illegal mining and even causing the arrest of some individuals who tried to smuggle cocoa to neighbouring Ivory Coast.
He says he intends to meet with the traditional leaders to thrash out the issues amicably.