The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Suaman in the Western North Region, Obour Vasco, has denied allegations that equipment under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) is being used for illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.
“I have seen the video shared on a WhatsApp platform by a research assistant to an MP, but I have reported the matter to the police because he is spreading false information and creating fear and panic,” he stated.
His comments come in response to a viral video purporting that DRIP equipment was being used for galamsey under his supervision.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Vasco dismissed the video as misleading. He threatened legal action against the individuals behind the video and media outlets that published the story without verification.
“I don’t have any site, and neither am I involved in galamsey. All the DRIP machines have been parked at the barracks for the past three weeks. It was over a month ago when the immigration commander at Obengkrom requested a bulldozer.
“As the head of DISEC, I work with the security agencies, and that was why I granted the request,” he explained.
He emphasized that traditional authorities and the Ghana Immigration Service had also been involved in the legitimate use of the equipment, and at no point had it been diverted for illegal mining.
