“So, as a veteran miner, I don’t know how to get documents done?” – Wontumi quizzes Mahama

John Dramani Mahama, the leader of the NDC, promised, among other things, to change the legislation to break the pattern of careless mining in forest reserves.

He threatened to remove Akonta Mining, which is controlled by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, from the forest reserves on the grounds that it had desecrated the forest.

In the event that he is elected president, National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has pledged to outlaw all mining operations in the nation’s forest zones, whether they are permitted or not.

Speaking at the Winneba, Central Region, launch of the National Democratic Party’s 2024 election manifesto policy, former President Mahama singled out Akonta Mining, a business owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, better known as Chairman Wontumi, the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman (NPP).

“If I’m elected as the president of Ghana after December 7, 2024, I will drive all those mining in forest zones, including Akonta Mining, out of these areas,” Mahama declared. “They should start packing before we come after them,” he warned.

Mahama underlined that mining causes harm to the environment and exacerbates natural problems like drought. “Mining in the forest is wrong; these activities endanger our ability to survive as an ecosystem,” he continued.

Chairman Wontumi is the owner of Akonta Mining, the firm at the center of Mahama’s statements, which has generated controversy because of its operations in forest geographical areas.

This strategy has been regarded by Chairman Wontumi, the owner of the mining company, as Mr. Mahama’s attempt to seize power in order to exact revenge on the opposition.

Chairman Wontumi contends that paperwork is what distinguishes lawful mining from illicit mining, and for a businessman of his caliber, obtaining legal documentation is not an issue.

Given this, he threw down the gauntlet of the NDC, challenging him to drive him from the forest reserve if he could.

“Can you push Wontumi? Even illegal and legal what is the difference? The difference is a document. So, as a veteran miner, I don’t know how to get documents done?” Wontumi quizzed.

Mr. Mahama’s intention in running for power, according to the CEO of Akonta Mining, was to exact revenge on his opponents.

“You want to win to avenge your enemies…anything concerning Ashanti, you don’t like it,” Wontumi added.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com