The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Suaman, Obour Vasco, is facing mounting criticism and calls for accountability following explosive allegations that he has diverted government-owned road construction equipment for illegal mining operations—popularly known in Ghana as galamsey.
The controversy erupted after a viral video surfaced on social media early Sunday morning, July 13, showing heavy-duty machinery, including an excavator, allegedly procured under the former Akufo-Addo administration’s District Roads Improvement Project (DRIP), operating at an illegal mining site instead of repairing roads.
The individual who filmed the video claimed that the machines were first assumed to be en route for road maintenance—a critical need in the Suaman district. However, upon following the convoy, they were shocked to discover the machinery being used to clear land at an active mining site.
“We took this video this morning. We trailed the machines until they got to the mining site. Initially, we thought they were being deployed to fix the road, but to our utter shock, they were rather used for galamsey,” the voice in the footage narrates.
The voice-over goes further to accuse the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of undermining the intentions behind the DRIP initiative.
“A government had this great vision of procuring these machines for the various districts to construct poor roads. Why will another government come to power and then decide to use the machines for galamsey? I am so disappointed in the NDC government. God will punish them for doing this,” the narrator added.
As of the time of this report, Mr. Obour Vasco has not issued any public statement in response to the allegations. Multiple attempts by local media to obtain a comment from him have so far been unsuccessful.
The footage has triggered widespread condemnation online, with civil society groups and residents in the Western North Region calling for an independent investigation into the matter.
The issue of illegal mining remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges in Ghana. Galamsey operations have been linked to:
The pollution of major rivers such as River Ankobra and River Pra.pp
Destruction of farmlands and forests.
Health hazards for nearby communities.
What makes this latest allegation more troubling is the possible involvement of a government official, which if proven, could severely undermine the state’s anti-galamsey agenda.
Environmental activists and anti-corruption advocates have called on the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, as well as the Office of the Special Prosecutor, to launch an immediate probe into the matter.
“This is not just a breach of public trust, it’s a criminal misuse of public resources,” said Kojo Antwi-Danso, a governance analyst with the Civic Watch Ghana think tank.
Hyping Ghana News will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Post a Comment