The Suhum New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communication Bureau has hit back at the Suhum National Democratic Congress (NDC) over allegations surrounding mining activities at Esaase and Krobomu, challenging the authorities to investigate the matter and establish who authorised the operations.
The NPP has, in particular, rejected allegations linking the Suhum Member of Parliament, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, to the reported illegal mining activities, insisting that the MP has no involvement in the operations.
According to the party, the controversy followed reports of mining activities in the Krobomu-Esaase area, which prompted the MP to leave Parliament and personally visit the affected communities to assess the situation.
The NPP said the MP’s visit was aimed at engaging traditional leaders, elders and the youth while gathering first-hand information about the reported environmental damage.
The party said during the visit, the MP was taken to areas where mining activities had allegedly resulted in the destruction of cocoa farms, degradation of portions of community lands and activities affecting the Densu River.
The NPP said the Krobomu Mmrantehene informed the MP that the reported mining operations had commenced approximately two months earlier, under the current NDC administration.
The party further claimed that chiefs and some youth in the community initially resisted the movement of excavators into the area because of concerns over the potential impact of the operations on their farms, water bodies and livelihoods.
However, the NPP alleged that the Assembly Member for the Omenako Electoral Area, Richard Afasi, who the party says is also the NDC Constituency Chairman, subsequently intervened.
According to the NPP, the Assembly Member allegedly told the community that the miners possessed the necessary licences and that the Municipal Assembly and National Security were aware of the operations.
The party has therefore challenged the relevant authorities to produce the documents purportedly authorising the mining activities for public verification.
A major concern raised by the NPP is the alleged diversion of a section of the Densu River to facilitate mining activities.
The party said community leaders also complained about the alleged destruction of cocoa farms and agricultural lands as a result of the mining operations.
At Esaase, the NPP claimed that some youth told the MP that their attempts to protest against the reported diversion of the river allegedly resulted in confrontations with private security personnel said to be associated with the mining operation.
The party, however, stressed that the accounts provided by residents remain allegations and should be subjected to proper investigation before any conclusions are drawn.
The Suhum Municipal Assembly has also come under scrutiny from the opposition party.
The NPP claimed that Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Lydia Ohenewa Sarah, had previously encountered an excavator being transported towards the area and, following protests from residents, allegedly stopped it.
The party is therefore questioning how the Municipal Assembly could subsequently be unaware of the reported mining activities in the area.
The NPP is demanding clarification from the Assembly on what it knew about the operations, whether permits had been issued and what steps were taken after concerns were raised by residents.
The NPP said that after his visit to the affected communities, MP Frank Asiedu Bekoe personally contacted the MCE to brief her about his findings.
According to the party, the MP also invited the MCE to visit the affected communities so that they could jointly assess the situation and work towards addressing the concerns raised by residents.
The NPP said this demonstrates that the MP’s involvement was aimed at finding a solution to the reported environmental degradation rather than facilitating mining activities.
The party has also rejected claims that the Suhum MP was connected to mining activities allegedly carried out in the area in 2024.
The NPP has challenged the NDC and anyone making such allegations to provide concrete evidence to substantiate their claims.
It said allegations of illegal mining should not be reduced to political accusations, arguing that credible evidence should instead be submitted to the appropriate state institutions for investigation.
“If anyone has credible evidence against the MP or any other person, the appropriate institutions should investigate the matter,” the party maintained.
The NPP has called for a comprehensive investigation into the reported mining activities and the alleged roles of individuals mentioned in connection with the operations.
The party wants the activities and actions of the Assembly Member, the MCE and other persons allegedly connected to the matter to be examined.
It insists that anyone found to have facilitated illegal mining, breached environmental regulations or otherwise violated the law must be held accountable, regardless of political affiliation.
The party further called on the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Water Resources Commission, Ghana Police Service and other relevant institutions to establish the facts surrounding the Esaase-Krobomu mining activities.
The Suhum NPP Communication Bureau stressed that its position should not be interpreted as opposition to lawful mining.
It said its concern is specifically with mining activities that allegedly destroy water bodies, cocoa farms, community lands and the livelihoods of residents.
The party is therefore calling for an impartial investigation to determine whether the operations at Esaase and Krobomu have the requisite licences and whether they comply with environmental and mining regulations.
It said the outcome of such investigations should guide the appropriate authorities in taking action against any individuals or companies found to have violated the law.
The latest development adds another layer to the growing political disagreement between the NPP and NDC in Suhum over the reported mining activities, with the opposition party insisting that the focus should be on establishing the facts, protecting the environment and ensuring accountability.
By 1960news.com
