The Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa South in the Eastern Region, Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikens Jnr., has called for prayers and spiritual support for officials leading the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to him, the fight against illegal mining goes beyond the physical, as leaders sometimes encounter what he described as spiritual attacks during operations.
“Pray for us. The fight against illegal mining is not only physical but spiritual. Sometimes we get spiritual attacks,” he said.
The MCE disclosed that he recently narrowly escaped death during an operation against illegal miners after he and his team unknowingly walked close to an abandoned mining pit.
“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.
Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikens Jnr. said the incident had strengthened his resolve to continue protecting residents and the environment.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service in Kyebi to mark his 32nd birthday, he said the Assembly had intensified both daytime and nighttime monitoring because illegal miners often return to abandoned sites under the cover of darkness.
95% of Common Fund Projects Completed
The MCE also disclosed that about 95 percent of projects undertaken by the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly through the District Assemblies Common Fund had been completed.
He said most of the completed projects were awaiting electricity connections before commissioning.
“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 said about 15 projects were expected to be commissioned by the end of September.
The projects include CHPS compounds, classroom blocks, furniture distribution and about 25 boreholes.
Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikens Jnr. commended President John Mahama for supporting local government development and urged government to sustain its support for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
MCE Gives GH¢118,000 to Women Organisers
The MCE further disclosed that he had used part of his salary arrears to support 118 women organisers within the municipality.
Each beneficiary received GH¢1,000 to engage in small-scale businesses while awaiting access to loans under the proposed Women’s Bank initiative.
“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 the gesture was aimed at providing temporary relief to the women and demonstrating support for grassroots party members.
Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikens Jnr. urged the beneficiaries to invest the money productively and stressed the importance of hard work, consistency and honesty.
He also reminded political supporters that political appointments were temporary and encouraged them to remain patient and committed to national development.
Source::Mybrytfmonline.com
