The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Aowin, Stephen Mocher, has refuted allegations linking him to illegal mining activities in the municipality.
This follows a viral video circulating on social media showing a confrontation between individuals claiming to be members of an anti-galamsey task force, personal assistant MCE, and some security personnel at a suspected galamsey site.
According to reports, the official vehicle of the MCE was allegedly spotted at the site, leading to public speculation that Mr. Mocher was aware of the illegal operations and had authorized his personal assistant to use the vehicle in support of the miners.
Following the viral video, Onua News visited the MCE’s office on January 8, 2026, to verify the allegations.
In response, Mr. Mocher explained that he had several calls from concerned residents about a group of individuals claiming to be from “Naimos” operating in areas such as Afodwo and Nyamedema. However, he later received call again suggesting that these individuals were not genuine anti-galamsey operatives.
“As the Chairman of the Municipal Security Council, he contacted the Divisional Police Commander to provide men to investigate the situation, but he informed me that all his officers were deployed for screening duties,” Mr. Mocher said.
He added that he subsequently requested assistance from some military personnel assigned to support the fight against galamsey and border patrol operations in the municipality.
Because they were new to the area, I instructed my personal assistant to drive them in my official vehicle to the operation site,” he explained.
Upon arrival, the team reportedly encountered the Deputy NADMO Officer of the municipality and two other individuals posing as security officers. The team informed me that the so-called task force was not fighting illegal mining but rather extorting money from miners.
I then instructed the men to arrest the imposters and seize all items they had taken from the miners. They were handed over to the Divisional Police Command for investigation, he stated.
Mr. Mocher noted that the Divisional Police Commander had since completed investigations and submitted a report to the Regional Police Commander and the Regional Security Council for advice.
He stressed that he remains firmly opposed to illegal mining and has never supported any galamsey-related activities within the municipality.
The Aowin Municipal Assembly has not formed any anti-galamsey task force. If anyone claims to represent such a group, the public should report them to the police because they are not recognized by the assembly,” he cautioned.
The MCE urged residents to remain calm, assuring them of his commitment to protect the environment and serve the people of Aowin.
I am not involved in galamsey. In fact, under my watch, 33 excavators have been seized from illegal miners. My focus is to serve the people and ensure the municipality remains peaceful, he concluded.
