Ranking member on the Mines and Energy select committee of Parliament John Jinapor has called for the prosecution of Ashanti Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Antwi Boasiako a.k.a Chairman Wontumi for illegally mining a forest reserve.
This, he believes would send a strong signal to other persons and groups illegally mining forest reserves to desist from the act.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has directed the Forestry Commission to ensure that the mining firm, Akonta Mining Limited stops operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest.
The Ministry in a statement issued on September 30 2022, said its records show that Akonta Mining Limited has a mining lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi but the lease does not cover the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
Speaking in an interview with Sena Nombo on the Gold Morning Conversation Minority Spokesperson on Mines and Energy says the Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources needs to go beyond stopping the operations of Akonta Mining.
According to him, the ministry must take steps to hold the beneficial owner of the company Bernard Antwi Bosiako a.k.a Chairman Wontumi accountable for the illegal operations of the company.
He said the actions of Chairman Wontumi vindicate the position of the Minority that key government officials and party bigwigs of the NPP are involved in the galamsey menace.
