Captain Mahama lynching: DCE asked to hand over
The District Chief Executive for Upper Denkyira West, Mr Daniel Appiannin, has been asked to hand over and step aside.
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President Akufo-Addo has directed the Central Regional Minister to furnish the Presidency with a report on the incident.
Graphic Online understands there was a meeting at the Flagstaff House on Thursday about the conduct and public utterances of Mr Appiannin in relation to the killing of Captain Mahama.
He has subsequently been asked to hand over to the Deputy Central Regional Minister, Mr Thomas Agyei Baffour.
Confirming the development, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah said the President would decide whether or not the DCE should return to his post after the investigations.
Related: Lynched army captain was a 'galamsey soldier' - DCE
Mr Appiannin in separate radio interviews on Tuesday had said that Captain Maxwell Mahama who was lynched on Monday at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region, was part of some military personnel who were protecting Chinese small-scale illegal miners (galamsey) in a distant forest at Aminase.
In an interview with Accra based Citi FM for instance, he said contrary to assertions by the Ghana Armed Forces that Captain Mahama was part of a military detachment in the area to fight galamsey, he [Captain Mahama] was rather part of a group of military personnel who were protecting illegal miners.
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The utterances of the DCE has been publicly condemned as provocative.
Local Govt Minister's letter
Meanwhile, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, following the President's directive has written to the Central Regional Minister on the subject matter.
A copy of the letter seen by Graphic Online reads: "In accordance with sections 36 and 202 of the Local Governance Act 2016, Act 936, I am directed by H.E. the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to request you [Regional Minister] to submit a report on the conduct, of the District Chief Executive for Upper Denkyira West in respect of the recent incidents in the District."
The letter added: "I am further directed to inform you of the appointment of the Hon. Deputy Minister, Central Region, as the acting District Chief Executive for Upper Denkyira West pending further investigations regarding the conduct and performance of Hon. Daniel Appiannin."
"This directive takes immediate effect," the letter concluded.
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