The Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa South in Eastern Region Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikens Jnr., has appealed for prayers and spiritual support as the municipality intensifies its fight against illegal mining.
According to him, the battle against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is not only physical but also spiritual, with officials sometimes facing what he described as spiritual attacks in the course of their duties.
It is beleived that many miners mostly fortify their sites with ritual activities for protection and luck to get more gold.
“Pray for us. The fight against illegal mining is not only physical but spiritual. Sometimes we get spiritual attacks,” the MCE said
Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikens Jnr. said his commitment to protecting residents and the environment had compelled him to personally lead operations against illegal miners, including at night.
He disclosed that he recently came close to losing his life during one of the operations after he and his team unknowingly walked near an abandoned mining pit.
According to him, shortly after they had moved away from the area, the edge of the pit collapsed.
“I nearly lost my life. There was a pit somewhere we did not know. We were walking at the edge of it. Immediately we left that place, the edge of the pit collapsed. If we were there and it collapsed, I don’t think I would be here by now,” he recounted.
The MCE speaking at a thanksgiving to celebrate his 32nd birthday in Kyebi said the incident had strengthened his resolve to thank God for his life while continuing efforts to protect the people and natural resources of Abuakwa South.
He said illegal miners often returned to mining sites under the cover of darkness after fleeing during daytime operations, making nighttime monitoring necessary.
95 Percent of Common Fund Projects Completed
Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikens Jnr. also disclosed that the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly had completed about 95 percent of projects undertaken with the District Assemblies Common Fund.
He said most of the completed projects were awaiting electricity connections before they could be commissioned and handed over for public use.
“We are done with all our projects. Some of them, we are just trying to get electricity to the place so that we can commission them for people to use,” he said.
He indicated that the Assembly expected to begin commissioning about 15 completed projects by the end of the month.
The MCE cited a number of interventions, including CHIP compounds, classroom blocks, furniture distribution and about 25 boreholes, as some of the projects implemented by the Assembly.
He commended President John Mahama for what he described as his commitment to strengthening local government development and urged the government to sustain support to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
MCE Shares 50 Percent of Salary With Women Organisers
Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikens Jnr. also disclosed that he had used 50 percent of his accrued salary to support 118 women organisers across various branches in the municipality.
He explained that the gesture was intended to provide temporary relief to the women while they awaited access to loans under the proposed Women’s Bank initiative.
According to him, he received salary arrears in bulk after a period during which government officials were not paid and decided to use part of the money to support people within his party’s grassroots structures.
“I looked at the money and said, I cannot use this money alone. What can I do to help people out of this money?” he said.
He explained that each of the 118 women received GH¢1,000 to enable them to engage in small-scale trading and other income-generating activities.
He stressed that the gesture was not because he had become wealthy but was intended to demonstrate that party leadership had not forgotten its grassroots supporters.
“The Women’s Bank is not just a political campaign. It is going to be a reality. But before then, how can we salvage the situation? It is only from some of us who are relevant enough to support that we do that,” he said.
The MCE urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the money, stressing that hard work, consistency and honesty were essential to achieving success.
He said political appointments were temporary and urged party supporters to remain patient and continue working for the development of the country.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
