Reports by the Media Foundation for West Africa Fourth Estate have fingered Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s wife Julia Ama Adwapa Amaning widely known as Lady Julia in illegal mining activities.
According to the Fourth Estate, Bodukwan Holding lacks key guiding approvals, including an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit and a Water Use Permit from the Water Resources Commission (WRC) linked to the Manhyia Palace.
The information suggests Lady Julia a co-director of the company, Bodukwan Holding is allegedly involved in galamsey activities.
Bodukwan Holding according to the information has strong ties with the Manhyia Palace through Nana Duah Bonsu, who serves as a co-director alongside Mujeeb Rahman Ahmed, a lawyer.
Mujeeb Rahman Ahmed a lawyer for the Manhyia Palace has however denied allegations that the company was mining on the concession.
“If anyone is there, we need to deal with them. We have no knowledge of any such activity. If someone is mining in our name, it is wrong. We are not aware of it”, Mujeeb Rahman Ahmed stated.
It will be recalled that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has raised concerns over the invasion of his mining concession by some unidentified illegal miners.
He revealed that his mining concession at Akropong had been looted by some illegal miners.
Addressing the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah on February 14, 2025, during his visit to Manhyia Palace, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II revealed, “I have heard that the concession Ayisi granted me has been overrun by illegal (galamsey) miners. But I don’t even know the place.”
“The concession was given to me, and I intended to develop it, only to hear that illegal miners had taken over,” he added. “If I am accused of engaging in galamsey as a traditional ruler, what can I say when I do not even know where the place is?”
“Security personnel should be deployed to protect concessions, small scale mining should be regularized and alternative jobs should be provided for illegal miners as part of efforts to combat the menace,” he stressed.
According to the information, on June 2, 2023 Bodukwan Holding Company Limited applied for a prospecting licence to explore for gold in Moseaso, Odumase, in the Western Region.
Their request was approved by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources giving them a three-year exploration period.
Meanwhile, the revelations have ignited concerns about transparency and regulatory supervision in Ghana’s mining sector.
There is a need for authorities to clarify the status of the Bodukwan concession and whether they are involved in illegal mining activities.
However, a raid on the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Enchi Forest District of the Western North Region by a joint Forestry Commission and Military taskforce has resulted in the seizure of 10 excavators and the arrest of four individuals.
The raid took place on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Compartments 17 and 20 of the reserve.
This raid forms part of the government’s efforts to fight illegal mining (galamsey).
