NDC dismisses false claims by NPP in the Prestea Huni Valley Constituency

The NDC-Prestea Huni Valley Constituency unequivocally refutes the baseless allegations put forth by the NPP in the Prestea Huni Valley Constituency regarding the recent deployment of military forces and the sale of fake
meters. We are appalled by the NPP’s attempt to absolve Barbara Oteng Gyasi of these actions. We want to state clearly that:

It is with great dismay that we respond to the recent claims of the NPP attempting to absolve Barbara Oteng Gyasi of her involvement in the deployment of military forces to harass galamsey operators within the Prestea enclave and residents of the Dumase community, particularly over the ECOMOG mining concession.

It is incredulous that certain NPP-affiliated media outlets are attempting to distort the truth and mislead the public.

Barbara Oteng Gyasi herself acknowledged in her recent interview with Asomdwe FM that the military deployment was orchestrated by the Minerals Commission, of which she serves as the board chairperson.

According to her, she had to protect her name from the speculation that she permitted the community to mine the FGR concession at Dumase. Furthermore, the NPP's own press release dated March 25, 2024, clearly states that the military action was taken by the Minerals Commission to protect assets belonging to FGR against the Dumase community. We urge the media to disregard the allegations because all the statements are true and not merely accusations.

The NDC wishes to highlight the disingenuousness of Barbara Oteng Gyasi's claims of being unaware of the sale of fake meters in the constituency. These meters, named after her and sold at discounted prices (GH₡500) to sway voters during the 2020 elections, were part of a calculated scheme orchestrated by the then NPP
constituency vice-chairman and some other party executives. While these meters were being touted for political gain, it is regrettable that Barbara remained silent.

Now that constituents are facing challenges due to these fake meters, she seeks to distance herself from the controversy. The NPP's attempt to shield their parliamentary candidate from the fake meter scandal is unfounded.

These meters were distributed by NPP party executives with claims of endorsement by Barbara Oteng in 2020. The NPP cannot shirk responsibility for this issue. If indeed she did not authorize the sale of these fake meters, as she claims, why then did she keep quiet when in 2020 her name was used by her party executives in selling the meters to the constituents under her watch as MP?

Barbara Oteng Gyasi's track record as a former MP and Deputy Minister for MLNR, marked by the destruction of mining equipment and seizure of galamsey excavators without accountability, has been a failure. Her actions as the chairperson of the Minerals Commission have demonstrated a lack of concern for the well-being of Prestea Huni Valley constituents.

The issuance of licenses by her outfit as minerals commission board chairperson for alluvial mining operations in Dwira and Nzema, which has resulted in pollution of the Ankobra River, remains unaddressed.

Instead of tackling issues with significant environmental impact, she opted to deploy military forces to harass vulnerable people in Dumase and Prestea who are engaging in subsistence activities that have no impact on water bodies, just to use them as scapegoats to show the world that her office is fighting illegal mining.

Also, the Minerals Commission has an office in Prestea, yet it has ignored the massive alluvia mining at Juaben with over 15 excavators in operation because it is being mined by NPP members. These are the issues that Barbara and her NPP should take seriously, not those related to mining rocks. The NDC will not sit aloof for the NPP to intimidate the good people of the Prestea Huni Valley constituency who are engaged in harmless small-scale mining activities for their livelihoods.

The NPP's desperate attempts to deflect blame and manipulate facts stem from their apprehension about the upcoming election. We urge the people of the Prestea Huni Valley constituency to see through these deceptive tactics and hold the NPP accountable for their actions.

Barbara Oteng's dismal leadership record, exemplified by her involvement in these incidents, should not be overlooked because this desperate attempt by the NPP is to rebrand their failed former MP, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, who has become a one-term MP record holder in Prestea Huni Valley Constituency in this 4th Republic.

The NDC remains dedicated to serving the people of the Prestea Huni Valley Constituency with transparency and integrity.