Simon Osei-Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, has staunchly defended his decision to request the arrest of the Ashanti East Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Mark Wiafe Asomani, for security reasons.
Osei-Mensah, speaking at a press conference in Kumasi, asserted that he would not apologize for carrying out his responsibilities, stating that there were agreements in place between the ECG and the Kumasi Technical University to address outstanding debts.
The Minister’s actions have sparked controversy, with critics questioning the legality and appropriateness of his intervention. However, Osei-Mensah remained steadfast, stating, “Do I have to apologize for doing my security work? What I want to tell you is that I asked the police to invite Ing Mark Asomani Wiafe on security grounds because of the happenings in the electricity sector in the region and the fact that a task force can always come from outside to disconnect without the proper information.”
He further emphasized that he had not committed any wrongdoing and was merely executing his security responsibilities as enshrined in the Securities and Intelligence Act of 2020, Act 10(30).
Addressing claims that some ECG managers are members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), Osei-Mensah dismissed them, asserting that the ECG is not under his authority and therefore he cannot dictate their actions. He emphasized the importance of adhering to protocols and ensuring proper communication in the execution of security-related duties.
The Minister’s stance underscores the complexity of balancing security concerns with proper procedural adherence, highlighting the challenges faced in managing critical infrastructure such as electricity distribution. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the developments to ensure that the interests of all parties are duly considered and protected.
