Communications Director for the United Party (UP), Solomon Owusu, has renewed calls for authorities to go after all kingpins and financiers of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He stated that going after the kingpins will destabilise the front of all organised criminals and syndicates operating and supporting illegal mining activities.
Solomon Owusu made the call in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM in reaction to the conviction and sentencing of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, over illegal mining activities.
The High Court has sentenced Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to a 20-year prison term with hard labour and a fine of 10,000 penalty units on two separate counts, with the sentences running concurrently.
His company, Akonta Mining, has also been slapped with a fine of 30,000 penalty units across two charges, alongside the forfeiture of all items seized from its concession to the State.
Delivering her judgment, the presiding judge highlighted the severity of the offences, emphasising the critical need for deterrence to prevent an impending environmental catastrophe caused by unchecked illegal mining.
The court noted that the illegal exploitation of mineral resources deprives the State of its rightful property while severely damaging the environment and undermining established regulatory frameworks in the mining sector.
Solomon Owusu, reacting to the outcome, stated that the law has been applied and Wontumi got what he deserved.
He, however, noted that there are more kingpins and financiers who buy the heavy machines for those involved in illegal mining who must be fished out.
He said those who engaged directly in the destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and human life are just ordinary people being financed by the bigger fishes who have the resources to invest in illegal mining activities.
He highlighted the devastating impact of illegal mining, noting that it has increased cases of kidney and heart diseases, alongside birth defects in newborns.
In line with Section 9 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended in 2019 (Act 995), all equipment and items retrieved from Akonta Mining’s concession are forfeited to the State, with the Sector Minister directed to process the items according to statutory provisions.
Describing the conviction as a positive step, Owusu noted that jailing a major financier sends a strong signal, urging authorities to pursue all other kingpins behind the practice.
“This is a victory for the state, but I would encourage the state to go after all other financiers of galamsey. As we speak, the galamsey menace is being financed by kingpins, and the sentencing of Wontumi is a very good development. The machines for galamsey are not GH₵2 that any ordinary people can purchase. With this outcome, we should go after the kingpins.”
He added that the report by Prof. Frimpong Boateng is still available and must be used so that all the kingpins of galamsey will be arrested and prosecuted.
According to him, the report contains detailed evidence of all persons involved in illegal mining, and the government must demonstrate commitment to dealing with them regardless of their status or political affiliation.
“This should serve as a deterrent to others. If a Ghanaian politician who is a known kingpin of galamsey has been given 20 years, then the foreigners should be guided. I am not happy he has been jailed, but I am happy that the conviction went against a known kingpin of illegal mining. Those who still want to engage in galamsey should continue; at least we have a precedent, and when they are caught, they will also face the law.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
