President Nana Akufo-Addo has dismissed three local government chief executives and replaced them with new appointees, a statement from the sector minister, Hajia Alima Mahama has announced.

They are Metropolitan Chief Executive of Secondi-Takoradi in the Western Region, Anthony Kobina Kurentsir Sam, District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Amansie South District in the Ashanti Region, William Asante Bediako and Akwapim North Municipal Chief Executive, Dennis Aboagye.

They have been replaced by Abdul Mumin-Issah for the Secondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Barima Awuah Sarpong Asiedu-Larbi for and Akwapim North Municipal Assembly and Clement Opoku Gyamfi for the Amansie South District Assembly.

“In view of the above, the Hon. Regional Ministers for Western, Eastern and Ashanti regions are requested to liaise with the Regional Electoral Commission to conduct the confirmation process of the nominated Chief Executives,” the statement signed by Hajia Mahama indicated.

It is not clear what has triggered the dismissals, however, in the case of William Asante Bediako, he grabbed headlines recently for defending persons engaged in illegal mining activities in the Amansie South District.

Mr Bediako was captured in a viral video stating his disagreement with the state-sponsored clampdown on illegal mining.

“Why would I not support ‘galamsey’? Had it not been for ‘galamsey’, we would not have had a storey building at Manso; had it not been ‘galamsey’ and hardworking nature of the people of Manso, a young person from Manso would not have been able to purchase a car worth one billion Cedis,” he is heard saying on the tape.

According to reports, the video was shot at a ceremony to commission a toilet facility at Manso Tontokrom, a town within the district.

President Akufo-Addo launched the Operation Vanguard to quell illegal mining activities have wreaked havoc to Ghana's freshwater bodies and vegetation across the country.