NPP PC In Trouble As The Youth of Abirem Uncover Alleged Embezzlement Of Mineral Development Fund.

The youth of the ten affected communities in the Birim North District led by the NDC Youth Organizer of the Abirem Constituency has demanded that the circumstances surrounding the GH¢300,000 withdrawal from the Mining Community Development Scheme (MCDS) of Mineral Development Fund (MDF) without legal recourse should be investigated.

The National Democratic Congress’s New Abirem Constituency Youth wing has accused the Mineral Development Fund’s (MDF) Local Management Committee Members (LMC) of unlawfully withdrawing over GH¢300,000 in order to aid the campaign of Charles Owiredu Asuoko, the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate.

Speaking at a press conference, the constituency youth organizer of the National Democratic Congress for New Abirem, Mr. Frank Amoah, a.k.a. Bravo, said the fund is not set up for political activities but rather to provide a reliable and predictable source of funding for development initiatives in mining communities.

 

According to him, after the establishment of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), the affected mining communities can account for any project they have gotten from all the fund tranches from 2020 to 2023.

Therefore, he alleged that for the 2024 tranche, the LMC chairman and secretary illegally withdrew over GH¢300,000, bypassed LMC jurisdiction, and transferred funds to the NPP parliamentary candidate, Charles Asuako Owiredu.

Mr. Frank reveals that the funds were reportedly used to purchase sewing machines, hair dryers, and other items that were allegedly distributed beyond the affected mining communities, seemingly to support electoral campaign efforts for the NPP parliamentary candidate.

On behalf of the youth in the affected mining communities, he called on chiefs in Newmont-affected communities, assembly members, district chief executives, youth and women representatives, Newmont representatives on the LMC, and the community opinion leaders to immediately investigate the alleged fund misappropriation.

He issued a 2-day ultimatum to the authority to make sure that funds will be returned to the Mining Community Development Fund, and also the LMC should ensure transparency and accountability in community fund management.

“The integrity of community development funds is paramount. We are committed to ensuring that resources meant for community development are used transparently, equitably, and for their intended purpose,” he said.

Following the press conference, the irate youth wing went to petition Obrempong Akwasi Amo Kyeretwie I, the chief of Abirem, but the chief was not present.

They say they will be vigilant and keep pushing for the proper use of these vital community resources, and they will make sure their petition reaches the chief in their next attempt.

Additionally, they are threatening to sue the local management committee (LMC), particularly the members who approved the fund withdrawal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Charles Owiredu Asuoko, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa and the parliamentary candidate for Abirem for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has declined to respond to the accusations against him when the media approached him for his take.

 

 

 

 

 

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