The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has denied allegations of involving in illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey.
His response follows a directive from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, ordering the immediate revocation of all mining licences held by Wontumi’s company.
The minister cited “overwhelming evidence” of illegal mining activities and described the company’s operations as part of a “criminal syndication.”
Wontumi, however, maintains that his mining activities have always been legal and compliant with Ghana’s mining regulations.
Speaking to journalists after being invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Monday, May 26, Wontumi categorically dined the claims.
He said, “I was invited by the police and charged with being involved in galamsey. I presented my licence to prove that I do not engage in illegal mining. They also claimed I was operating in a forest reserve, but I told them it wasn’t me. If they have any evidence, they should present it. If anyone is working there now, I am not aware of it.”
