The Ashanti Regional Secretary for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Lawyer Adom Appiah, has vehemently dismissed allegations against Akonta Mining, owned by Chairman Wontumi, that the company is engaged in illegal mining (galamsey) and that its license has been revoked by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
“Nobody can tell me that throughout Ghana, it’s only Akonta Mining that’s into mining. Why is it the only company fingered in every mining conversation. In any case, Akonta Mining is not into galamsey.” Lawyer Appiah stated.
Speaking on Wontumi Morning show on Wontumi TV, he recalled a similar allegation made by the same journalist two years ago, claiming that Akonta Mining was destroying water bodies around Samreboi. Lawyer Appiah questioned the logic behind blaming Akonta Mining for pollution when water flows from upstream to downstream, suggesting that the company couldn’t be responsible for pollution it didn’t cause.
The NPP Regional Secretary criticized the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources for relying on hearsay and releasing a press statement without following due process or allowing Akonta Mining to respond to the allegations.
“Let’s follow due process of law and admissible evidence by the court before revoking any license,” he urged.
