A bizarre incident has unfolded in the Adansi North district of the Ashanti region, where National Security personnel took over a licensed small-scale underground mine at Akatakyieso.
The mine, which was previously operated by a private company, was driven out by security forces, who then installed men armed with pump-action guns to guard the facility.
Conflicting Orders.
According to Capt. Rtd Mohammed Gyabari, the Ashanti Regional Security Liaison, he was instructed by his superiors in Accra to secure the mine. However, when contacted, his boss in charge of operations denied giving any such order. This discrepancy has raised questions about the legitimacy of the takeover and the true intentions of National Security.
Illegal Mining Operations.
Eyewitnesses report that the security personnel have been operating the mine using private equipment, extracting minerals for an unknown period.
The mine, which had previously won accolades from a government committee for its organized mining practices, has been operating without the owner’s knowledge or consent. This has sparked concerns about the potential exploitation of the mine’s resources for personal gain.
Questions of Accountability.
The takeover has raised several questions. Who authorized the National Security personnel to take over the mine? Who are they mining for? And what is the purpose of this operation? The lack of transparency and accountability in this matter has sparked concerns about the potential misuse of power and the undermining of the rule of law.
The situation at the Akatakyieso mine is shrouded in controversy, with conflicting orders and a lack of transparency. It is essential that the relevant authorities provide clarity on the matter and ensure that the rule of law is upheld.
The mining industry is heavily regulated, and any deviation from the rules can have far-reaching consequences.
As the investigation unfolds, one thing is certain: the people of Ghana deserve answers.
Credit:Erastus Asare Donkor
