The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has asked the Ghana Police Service to arrest the Atiwa West Constituency Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who is said to have alleged that she gave an order for some illegal miners in the region, who had been arrested, to be released.
The Minister was reacting to the media reportage on the issue on Onua TV’s midday news, ‘Nsem Titire’ on April 3.
According to the Minister, she has never met the person who made the allegation, neither has she ever communicated with him.
“I asked and I learnt it was the Atiwa West Constituency Secretary of NDC. I’ve never met him before. I’ve asked the police to look for him, investigate him and if possible, prosecute him because I don’t have any hand in that operation. I wasn’t even called and if I was called, I’ll be the last person to tell them to release the person,” she said in Twi.
The Minister further expressed disappointment in the police officer who released the miners stressing that “I want him to come show me the ‘power from above’ that told him to release the illegal miner.”
She reiterated her government’s dedication in the fight against illegal mining and indicated that she’ll follow the matter to the very end.
