Hon. Pius Opoku Denies Nepotism and Illegal Mining Allegations, Calls Claims Baseless
Hon. Pius Sampson Opoku, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Tano North Municipality in the Bono Region, has dismissed accusations of nepotism and involvement in illegal mining (galamsey) leveled against him by the Bomaa Branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as baseless and politically motivated.
The NDC’s allegations, aired during a press conference on July 15, 2025, claim that Opoku favored friends and family for key appointments, including the School Feeding Coordinator and National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Coordinator, sidelining qualified locals and fostering community mistrust.
They also accused him of complicity in galamsey activities in Tano North, a region plagued by illegal mining, as noted in parliamentary discussions about security threats near Newmont’s operations.
In an interview (source not specified in available reports), Opoku refuted both charges, asserting they lack evidence and are driven by political agendas. “These allegations are baseless and without proof,” he reportedly stated, emphasizing his commitment to transparent governance and development in Tano North.
He highlighted his 97.3% approval by the 37-member Tano North Municipal Assembly in 2025, signaling strong local support, and urged unity for the municipality’s progress, as noted in his acceptance speech.
The NDC’s spokesperson, Hon Zack, claimed during the press conference that Opoku’s actions have marginalized local leaders, stating, “Many of our leaders have been treated poorly, with some even forced to sleep in the bush due to the MCE’s actions.”
The NDC issued a two-week ultimatum to President John Mahama and the Minister for Local Government, threatening demonstrations if Opoku is not removed.
The galamsey accusations align with broader concerns in Tano North, where illegal mining has surged since Newmont’s operations began, posing security threats and environmental damage, as raised by MPs like Hon. Collins Dauda in Parliament.
However, no specific evidence linking Opoku to galamsey has surfaced in available reports, and his denial echoes similar defenses by NDC figures like Joseph Yamin, who faced parallel accusations.
The Attorney-General’s recent directive to probe NDC officials for galamsey suggests heightened scrutiny, but Opoku’s name was not mentioned in that context
The allegations reflect intra-party tensions within the NDC, with some suggesting the Bomaa Branch’s actions aim to undermine Opoku’s leadership ahead of local political shifts.
Critics argue the lack of concrete evidence weakens the NDC’s case, while supporters of the ultimatum point to community grievances.
With Tano North’s history of mining-related security issues and the government’s anti-galamsey stance, the outcome of this dispute could impact local governance and the NDC’s cohesion.
