The Spokesperson to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Husein Ibrahim, has strongly dismissed allegations linking the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie Central, Hon. Emmanuel Obeng Agyemang, to an alleged illegal mining extortion syndicate exposed in a recent JoyNews Hotline documentary.
The investigative piece alleged the existence of a sophisticated pay-to-operate scheme involving illegal mining operators, the District Assembly, and a task force operating under the authority of the DCE.
Speaking to Akua Aseiduaa on Oyerepa Breakfast Time, Mr. Ibrahim said the system of collecting revenue from mining operators was not introduced under the current DCE but has existed since the era of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
He explained that the revenue collected from operators using heavy earth-moving equipment forms part of the Assembly’s Internally Generated Funds (IGF) and is used to support development projects in the district.
“These monies are not pocketed by the DCE. They are paid into official Assembly accounts and are used to facilitate development projects within the district. So there is absolutely no way the DCE could be personally involved in any extortion or corruption scheme as has been alleged. He only operated an existing system,” he stressed.
The spokesperson maintained that Hon. Emmanuel Obeng Agyemang merely worked within an administrative framework that has been documented and operational for years.
“What crime has Emmanuel Obeng Agyemang committed in this matter?” Mr. Ibrahim questioned.
“He had no evil intention behind a system that has existed for years and has served as a legitimate source of revenue for the Assembly,” he added.
Mr. Ibrahim further disclosed that official documents exist to show that the tax system has been in place under previous governments.
