Community Mining Program Coordinator, Kontoh Owusu Agyeman Denies Allegations of Illegal Mining

Project Coordinator for the Oda Community Mining Program, Kontoh Owusu Agyeman, has denied allegations of engaging in illegal mining activities. He stated that all relevant governing authorities were aware of their preliminary actions, including the District Security Council, BNI, Regional Security Council, Regional Police Command, and Minerals Commission. Therefore, it is untrue for anyone to assert that they were involved in illegal mining.

Kontoh Owusu Agyeman emphasized that they followed proper procedures and obtained the necessary approvals, including a tributary arrangement from GCD and a signed SIGA from the Minerals Commission. They also met with the Eastern Regional Minister to discuss their intentions to start community mining and were advised to construct an office with amenities like a canteen and bathrooms, which they complied with. They were on the job site installing the SD-400 washing machine when the incident occurred.

According to Kontoh Owusu Agyeman, some armed individuals had broken into their location and destroyed the equipment. Each of these pricey gadgets costs $600,000 to purchase, and they bought them on credit with the idea of using the equipment and paying the overseas supplier back. The company was to construct, run, and educate local personnel to operate it for three months before they turned it over, and they paid them in full.

He clarified that the work they are doing will not only benefit them but also the entire nation and contribute to job creation for the youth. He emphasized that they take great care to ensure that no holes or pits are left on the property they are working on that may potentially cause accidents.

Kontoh Owusu Agyeman also mentioned a past incident in which he had to go to the High Court to obtain paperwork proving that he had no involvement in mining activities taking place on his property. He made it clear that he shouldn’t be held accountable if something goes wrong.

For the most part, Kontoh Owusu Agyeman denied allegations of engaging in illegal mining activities and emphasized that they followed proper procedures and obtained the necessary approvals. He also stated that they take great care to ensure that no holes or pits are left on the property they are working on that may potentially cause accidents. He added that their work would benefit the entire nation and contribute to job creation for the youth.