Kwasi Bonzoh, Ellembele DCE
The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ellembele in the Western Region, Kwasi Bonzoh, has denied allegations of being in bed with mining company, Adamus Gold Resources.
According to the DCE, his relationship with the company is one of a professional one based on his mandate as a public servant and not for any other personal interest.
Some residents of Ellembele district have questioned the DCE’s support for the company to cause the arrest of residents who encroach on its concessions.
They have also accused him of using his relationship with Adamus to sabotage the residents from getting portions of the company’s concession for community mining.
Denial
But speaking with the Daily Statesman, the DCE stressed that Adamus’ concession is a “no go area” and that encroachers will continue to be arrested and dealt with according to the law.
He reiterated that although the concession is on Ellembele soil, it was a bonifide property of Adamus which the company secured several years ago.
“I am obliged to help protect this concession from encroachers by encouraging their arrest and prosecution,” he said. He, however, expressed displeasure over physical attack of encroachers by the company’s security personnel.
It is against this backdrop that he said the assembly had dragged four of such personnel to court for mishandling and causing harm to an encroacher.
Mr Bonzoh further indicated that Adamus had been fair to people in its catchment area by offering some of them permanent jobs. According to him, 64 or 57 per cent of the mining company’s total workforce of 1,134 are indigenes.
He also touched on the release of 150 acres of Adamus’ concession for community mining after series of negotiations by the assembly and Minerals Commission.
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