The Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Small Scale Miners Association, Mr. Michael Adu Gyamfi, has welcomed the 20-year prison sentence handed to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, for illegal mining activities.
Describing the ruling as a step in the right direction, he noted that the conviction fulfills President John Dramani Mahama’s campaign promise to clamp down on the kingpins of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.
However, speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Gyamfi stressed that the prosecution should not end with Chairman Wontumi.
He pointed out that “many galamsey kingpins are politicians within the ruling government and urged the state to demonstrate genuine commitment by pursuing every individual, syndicate, and financier sponsoring illegal mining”.
He added that a lack of political will and the interference of powerful politicians have long crippled the fight against the menace.
“I can state categorically that political influence has affected the fight against galamsey—it is the reason why we have failed,” Mr. Gyamfi maintained.
“So the sentencing of Wontumi will send a strong signal to all other politicians involved in galamsey that they will be prosecuted. It will serve as a deterrent.”
He further remarked that Chairman Wontumi caused his own downfall by flaunting opulence and displaying gold bars on television to boast about his operations.
Advising politicians not to undermine the court’s decision, Mr. Gyamfi emphasized that due process was followed and called for even-handed justice: “Government must remain firm and go after all the kingpins because the President promised to go after them during the campaign period. The prosecution must be extended to all others, including persons affiliated with the ruling NDC party.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
