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Local Government Minister, Hon. Collins Dauda has conceded that he appended his signature to the letter dismissing District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atebubu, Sampson Owusu Boateng, which sparked off vigilante action by some activists of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the area. 

Alhaji Collins Dauda however insists it is purely a matter of ignorance on the part of the embattled DCE and some NDC supporters which resulted in the burning down of the party's office over reports of the DCE's dismissal from office.

According to him, it is wrong for the supporters of the embattled DCE to assume that it will only have to take President John Dramani Mahama personally to sign the dismissal letter of any DCE and not that of another government appointee before the embattled DCE is kicked out of office.

The simmering tension between Sampson Owusu Boateng and the Member of Parliament for the area, Sanja Nanja metamorphosed into open violence yesterday, forcing the state to deploy both police and military personnel to ensure law and order in Atebubu-Amatin in the Brong Ahafo region.

Police in Atebubu have arrested two people in connection with Tuesday’s vandalism at the NDC’s office in Atebubu - several people have reportedly been injured following a scuffle between supporters of the Member of Parliament for the area, Sanja Nanja and the DCE, Sampson Owusu Boateng.

Report says Owusu Boateng has been replaced as DCE by one Eric Osei. The subsequent tension has created unease in the district, especially for members of the Atebubu Traditional Council, some members of the NDC, as well as members of the Atebubu Youth Association.

Commenting on the incident on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Hon Dauda hinted that he has signed the dismissal letters of many DCEs on the instructions of President Mahama; thus the Atebubu’s case is not the first of its kind.

“There are some DCEs who have been maintained and others have been removed from their positions by the President. The DCE at Koforidua was removed from his post and I signed the letter; Kintampo South DCE too, I signed the letter for their removal but have you heard any challenges in those areas?”

“I don’t understand what Castro is doing at Atebubu. The President will not sign to remove him but he won’t remain the DCE again at Atebubu; the earlier he understands and adjusts the better for him. If this is how he wants his life to be, so be it but as for the DCE position, he won’t stay in post again”, he emphasized.

He reminded aggrieved NDC supporters that he [Collins Dauda] acted on the instruction of President John Mahama as every DCE appointment and removal have always come from the President.