Angry Chiefs Drag DCE To Akufo-Addo

…Demand His Removal Over Alleged Galamsey, Cocoa Smuggling

The Suaman Traditional Council in the Western North Region has dragged the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Suaman, Phillip Kwabena Boahene, to President Nana Akufo Addo, demanding his immediate removal over his alleged involvement in illegal mining, notoriously called “galamsey,” in the area.

The chiefs, led by the Omanhene of the Suaman traditional area, Odeneho Brentum IV, in a petition, followed by a press conference, said the DCE has allegedly involved himself in a series of compromised positions that go against the interest of the government and the chieftaincy institution by engaging in “creates, loots and shares” proceeds of illegal mining.

Acting President and the Abakomahene of the Suaman Traditional Council, Nana Ebbi Kwaw Dehyie II, who addressed the media, on behalf of the Omanhene, claimed the DCE is the main architect and brainchild of all ongoing illegal mining being carried out in the district.

The petition, dated August 03, 2023 and intercepted by The Anchor, said, “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 chiefs alleged.

Additionally, the traditional leaders also accused the DCE of supervising the smuggling of Ghana’s cocoa beans from the district to the Ivory Coast and 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 petition alleged.

They also mentioned 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 own internal investigations have revealed the DCE’s purported 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.

According to the chiefs, the DCE has gone beyond his limit, as several invitations by the Nananom sent to him, out of the respect for his office, to come and brief them about the details of the transactions he did have been ignored.

They stated, “However, all attempts made for the DCE to honour our meetings with him have yielded no fruitful results.”

“In conclusion, the DCE has exhibited gross disrespect to the traditional rulers and the Suaman Traditional Area and by our unanimous decision supported by the popular masses, the holistic demand of the citizenry is for H.E President Nana Akufo-Addo is to consider this petition and remove from office with immediate effect dishonorable Hon. Phillip Kwabena Boahene as the DCE for the district and replace him with a very humble and competent person,” the petitioners demanded.

The Omanhene of the Suaman traditional area, who signed the petition, however, indicated that, “Indeed, it must be stated that, I have all the accompanying evidence to substantiate these allegations during the investigation and very willing to assist the team at all times.”

Meanwhile, when The Anchor contacted the Suaman DCE for his reaction, he told the paper he was on his way to a certain place and the network too was poor. But Mr. Boaheneis said to have debunked the allegations during previous interviews.

He reportedly told the media that, 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 neighboring Ivory Coast. He says he intends to meet with the traditional leaders to thrash out the issues amicably.

Source: Anchorghana.com