The Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South East, Yakubu Mohammed, has dismissed reports that he was driven out of the Adugyama Chief’s Palace during discussions over the proposed location of the government’s 24-hour economy market.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the MP described the reports as false, insisting that neither he nor the District Chief Executive (DCE) was asked to leave the palace.
“We didn’t go there to talk about galamsey, and nobody sacked me or the DCE from the chief’s palace,” he stated.
Mr Mohammed explained that the disagreement was mainly about the proposed location for the market project.
According to him, some residents of Adugyama initially opposed the selected site, leading him to engage traditional authorities and community members to find a solution.
“We had an issue with the location for the 24-hour economy market. The Adugyama people said they wouldn’t allow it, so I engaged the traditional leaders and the people, and we agreed that the market would rather be sited at Abesewa,” he said.
He said the matter appeared to have been resolved until he received a call from the DCE informing him that some chiefs wanted to meet them after residents had gathered at the district assembly.
“The DCE called me and said people had stormed the district office and the chiefs wanted to see us. When we got there, a crowd had gathered, so I explained the situation to them. They agreed, and we left, although some people remained there,” he recounted.
Mr Mohammed said he was surprised when reports emerged the following day suggesting that he had been chased out of the palace.
On allegations of illegal mining activities in the Abesewa Forest, the MP said the operation was being undertaken by a company with approval from relevant state agencies under a forest restoration programme.
He said he raised concerns after seeing activities ongoing in the area and contacted the company for clarification.
“When I saw it, I expressed my opposition. I called them, and they told me they had all the necessary documentation. The Mineral Development Fund also informed me that they had granted them permission,” he explained.
Mr Mohammed maintained that he has no legal authority as a Member of Parliament to stop an operation that has been approved by the appropriate state institutions.
“As the MP, it is not my place to stop them. That is not my job,” he said.
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