Akonta mining not engaged in illegal mining – Akufo-Addo

Akonta mining does not involve illegal mining – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has defended Akonta Mining Company Limited, claiming that the company is not involved in illegal mining known as galamsey.

Akonta Mining is owned by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako popularly known as Wontumi Chairman has made news for mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region without recourse to the law.

But speaking at the 28th National and 16th Biennial Congress of the National Union of Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priests Association in Koforidua, President Akufo insisted that the company was not involved in any wrongdoing.

“I want to assure you all that Akonta Mining is not involved in any form of illegal mining anywhere in Ghana as we speak,” he insisted.

The Ministry of Lands has directed the Forestry Commission to ensure that the company does not carry out any operations in the forest and take necessary action against anyone found guilty in the matter.

This is after declaring all activities carried out by the company in the Forest Reserve as illegal.

But the government said, while the mining company has a lease to carry out mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, the company does not have mineral rights to carry out mining operations in the Tano Nimiri forest reserve.

There has been a call for prosecution the person running the Akonta Mining Limited operations in the forest reserve.

In fact, the issue of the mining company is now under the Special Prosecutor for investigation.

The Media Against Galamsey Coalition has recently reiterated its call for the arrest and prosecution of directors and officers of Akonta Mining Limited for their alleged involvement in the illegality.

The coalition insists that there is enough evidence to arrest Akonta’s directors and officers.

The call comes on the back of a second petition written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare to conduct a speedy investigation into the alleged illegal mining activities of Akonta Mining.

Chairman Wontumi, has denied reports that he is involved in illegal mining and said he will allow due process.

“I ask them to use the law. They should do an investigation, and we should allow the law to work,” he said on the TV station, Wontumi TV.

Mr. Boasiako also responded to speculation that he was involved in illegal mining, saying, “I want to tell the public that I am not involved in galamsey.”

The post Akonta Mining not involved in illegal mining – Akufo-Addo appeared first on Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana.

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