Illegal Mining: Arrest Wontumi now! – Media Coalition Against Galamsey
The Media Coalition Against Galamsey (MCAG) has called for the immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The anti-galamsey campaigners also want Wunmtumi’s colleague Kwame Antwi, arrested for the same offences.
In a statement, MCAG said, “Arrest, investigate and prosecute everyone involved in the illegality including the Akonta Mining Limited and its Directors, Bernard Bosiako and Kwame Antwi, for illegally mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve as well as breaching Section 99(6) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by mining very close along the banks of Tano River.”
“‘Powerful’ people like Chairman Wontumi involved in galamsey activities in the country should be exposed and sanctioned to serve as a deterrent,” the statement recommended.
They also called on the government to “order all small-scale and surface mining activities to stop immediately to allow our water bodies and forests to begin to be restored and strategize a way to bring sanity to all surface mining activities in Ghana.”
The Coalition explained that it had become necessary to stop all small-scale and surface mining activities because the evidence shows that Ghana’s water bodies had worsened between 2017 when the Coalition started its anti-Galamsey campaign.
“…we are currently in a worse situation than when we started. For example, the annual average turbidity levels at the Daboase headworks on the Pra river has worsened from 1,180 in 2020, 2,588 in 2021, and 2,634 in 2022.”
MCAG argued that the current state of affairs clearly indicates a lack of leadership and commitment on the part of the government and other stakeholders in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
In view of that, MCAG said ministers and their deputies, responsible for regulating the mining sector, have failed Ghana. They must be sacked for disappointing present and unborn generations.
The Coalition also wants all DCEs and MCEs whose areas of jurisdiction illegal mining has taken place and continues, based on evidence on the ground, to be sacked.
MCAG is also urging the government to rise to the occasion and ensure the strict enforcement of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, without fear or favour.
” Ensure that the above punitive measures are implemented before Farmer’s Day this year, as these activities directly impact adversely the efforts of our gallant farmers,” the statement said.
The Coalition also wants the government to explore the provision of gainful, alternative employment to persons currently engaged in Galamsey.
Chairman Wontumi’s Akonta Mining Company Limited, was recently stopped on the orders of Lands and Forestry Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor from continuing their mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in blatant violation of Section 99(6) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).