How Emmaland Cardero Resources used Ghana police to intimidate me – Journalist tells his story

It was 12:41pm on Monday July 16, 2012, I walked into Emmaland Cardero Resources’ office in Accra to conduct an interview with Emmanuel Kwesi Ababio, the Chief Executive Officer.

Before this day, I had once visited this office to find out more about their operations. the International and Public Relations Manager of Emmaland & Cardero Group of Companies, Paries Augusta Nyeswah provided some answers. I then requested to meet the head of the company. She told me the boss had travelled. I then informed her that, I would pay a visit to their site at Sheni in the now Zabzugu District of the Northern Region. Three weeks later I visited the site at Sheini Hills and was well received by the District Chief Executive – Hon. Abdul Wahab Umar. He arranged for a vehicle from Emmaland Cardero Resources driven by their driver- Kwadwo Antwi to pick me from the town to the site and back. A journey of about one hour. At the site I interviewed workers including one expatriate named Mark Serwa.

According to a blogger, Npong more Ghanaian journalists have been drawn into the spotlight working hard to uncover how Emmaland and Cardero Resources broke the deal to begin work at Sheini Hills. The police in Canada are also investigating the company for alleged bribery of Ghanaian officials after an unknown person filed a complaint with them.

Upon my return, in order to have a balanced story, I decided to talk to the Chief Executive Officer himslef.

So, I was requested by the receptionist to fill the entry book and wait for him.

The receptionist then went to inform him of my presence. The CEO was then outside the building. He walked in and signaled me to follow him to his office. I respectfully obeyed. He ushered me into his office and asked me to sit and wait. By this time the International and Public Relations Manager of Emmaland & Cardero Group of Companies, Paries Augusta Nyeswah and another staff who claimed to be the Public Relations Manager had joined me. We had a healthy conversation bothering on my work on their company. They kept assuring me that, the CEO would join me shortly.

After some time, at about 1:25pm, the CEO, Ababio and two gentlemen entered the office. “My name is Emmanuel Kwesi Ababio, can you introduce yourself” he introduced himself. I also mentioned my name and the organization I work for. He went on to say that, “ I am not granting you any interview, I have handed everything over to the CIDs.” The two gentlemen in mufti then said they had been sent by their boss- ASP Inkoom to bring me for interrogation. I agreed to accompany them to their office at the Police CID headquarters in Accra.

At the CID headquarters, I was interrogated by four detectives including,  Bonney and  ASP Inkoom. Questions ranging from whether I got permission from them before entering into their office building here in Accra to whether I was investigating the company were some of the questions that I was asked. I also asked them whether Emmaland Cardero Resources has something to hide. They did not answer. I did not understand why the company would involve the Police to intimidate a journalist who has walked up to them to ask questions concerning their operations.

After the questioning session, I was asked to write an ordinary statement. I then called my boss to come over. My boss, Mr Emmanuel K. Dogbevi arrived and I wrote the statement. The Police told my boss that, Ababio reported that he had been suspicious of my activities, claiming I have been prying into their privacy. I was finally released at about 4:20pm. Already, the story has been carried by about not less than 15 media outlets on the day of the incident and some human rights and media groups have also contacted me.

When I was asked by the Media Foundation for West Africa, whether I would go ahead and publish the story on Emmaland Cardero Resources, I responded in the affirmative. I am gathering my facts and I would in due course release the story.

The Sheini Hills Project is now the single most largest natural resource located in a deprived community in northern Ghana.

By Pascal Kelvin Kudiabor