The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman says he is not involved in illegal mining, also known as “galamsey.”
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, nicknamed Chairman Wontumi, stated that his company, Akonta Mining Limited, has all of the necessary paperwork.
Chairman Wontumi stated on Wontumi TV on Monday, October 3, that he is ready to make the paper available.
“I’m pleading with them to use the law.” They should conduct their investigations, and we should let the law take its course.”
“I have a huge size company under which Akonta mine operates,” he continued. “I will make all of the required documentation available[sic],” he continued.
As a result, Chairman Wontumi denied allegations that he was participating in a galamsey.
“I want the public to know that I am not into galamsey,” he insisted.
On Friday, September 30, the Lands and Natural Resources Ministries asked mining company Akonta Mining Limited to halt operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest.
The Ministry stated that, while Akonta Mining Limited has a mining lease to conduct mining activities in some areas of Samreboi that are not within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, “the firm has no mineral right to conduct any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.”
According to the statement, sector minister Samuel Abu Jinapor has asked the Forestry Ministry to “immediately guarantee that the company does not conduct any operations in the Forest and to take the necessary punishment against any person found culpable in this incident.”
“Our records reveal that Akonta Mining Ltd applied for a Mining Lease to conduct mining operations in the specified Forest Reserve on August 25, 2022.” Except under extraordinary circumstances, all reconnaissance, prospecting, and/or exploratory activities in the country’s Forest Reserves have been suspended by a Ministerial Directive.
“Although this directive does not apply to mining in Forest Reserves, Akonta Mining Limited’s application has not been determined, and as a result, any purported action performed by the firm in the Forest Reserve is illegal,” the statement added.
This came after two people were shot in Samreboi in the Western Region after a group of youngsters allegedly prevented Akonta Mining Limited staff from sending further mining equipment into the Tano Nimri Forest reserve.
 Ashanti Regional Chairman says he is not involved in illegal mining, also known as "galamsey."){kind=link}