The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene says the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ashanti regional Chairman Antwi Boasiako also known as Wontumi will be prosecuted if found guilty of illegal mining.
Akonta Mining Company Limited owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako has been reported to be operating illegally in the Nimri Tano forest reserve in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region.
According to the government’s reports, the mining company has a lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, but the company has no liberty to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri forest reserve.
Speaking in an interview on GHOne TV with Tutuwaa Danso, Mr. Amoakohene expressed that if anyone is found guilty of illegal mining, regardless of their social status, would face the full force of the law.
“Any person who is found to be associated with any illegal activities whatsoever irrespective of your class in society, definitely we will not let you go scot-free”, he said.
Dr. Amoakohene emphasized that the government, in collaboration with local authorities, will address issues related to illegal mining, alliances, and forest reserves adding that any individual found guilty in these matters would not be exempt from legal consequences.
“These are all pending issues that definitely together with central government, we will look at it.
“If anyone is at fault in any of these areas, irrespective of your status in society, we’ll make sure that the law takes its course”, he said.
He affirmed that “if Chairman Wuntumi’s account of mining is found to be culpable, the law will take its course.”
