Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), has denied allegations of his involvement in illegal mining (galamsey).
Chairman Wontumi indicated that allegations levelled against him are baseless, adding that it is an attempt by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to malign his reputation and that of his party the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to him, the government and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah are attempting to frame him for the galamsey menace.
“When they (NDC) came they were talking about galamsey. But now they want to accuse Chairman Wontumi of being knee deep in galamsey. I want you to know this, Chairman Wontumi does not involve himself in galamsey, and I will never engage in galamsey,” he addressed supporters of the NPP on their ‘Thank You Tour’.
“It is all lies by the Minister. I have a legitimate business with the appropriate licenses and leases,” he stated.
Lands Minister and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah speaking in a press conference on illegal mining stated, “In August 2022, the Forestry Commission, with the assistance of the Ghana Police, made some arrests of persons associated with Akonta Mining, encroaching on the forest reserves, specifically compartment 161. The docket was supposedly transferred to Accra for further action, and yet nothing was heard of the case.”
“This company has not only trespassed into protected reserves but has become a criminal syndicate, selling access of the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners for a staggering GHC 300,000 per concession. Worse, these illegal miners operate under Akonta’s protection, devastating the River Tano and surrounding forests with impunity. They have encroached compartments 49 and 121 of the Tano Nimri forest reserve.”
He added, “We gathered a team of investigators to go undercover to make enquiries about the details of this operation. Our undercover team uncovered a well-oiled machinery of destruction. One Mr Ayisi (a representative of Akonta Mining) is the liaison on these dealings – he serves as the gatekeeper, negotiating fees and granting illegal access.”
“The concessions are then subleased to individuals like one “Mr Henry” and another individual identified as “Shark” who are to oversee the devastation of the Aboi Forest Reserve and the Tano River. As part of the agreement between Akonta Mining and the illegal miners, weekly royalties of 250 grams of gold are to be paid to the company, lining the pockets of Akonta’s collaborators.”
After making these revelations, the Minister went on to revoke the mining license of Akonta Mining Limited owned by Chairman Wontumi.
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Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Chairman Wontumi, has responded to allegations linking him to illegal mining (galamsey) activities, which are said to be contributing to the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.
He claimed the government is attempting to… pic.twitter.com/oiAg5By5F7
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) April 29, 2025
