The Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining is calling on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to widen its crackdown on illegal mining, urging authorities not to limit their efforts to Akonta Mining Company Limited.
This comes as Akonta Mining heads to court to challenge the revocation of its mining license by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah. The Minister had ordered the revocation over allegations of illegal mining and regulatory breaches.
At a news conference, the Minerals Commission reaffirmed that “the company holds no valid mining lease for operations in the forest and lacks the necessary forest entry permit to carry out any mining activities.”
But Convener of the Media Coalition, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, said the focus should not be on one company alone. “We should look into the issues of Heritage Imperial as well, who were given exploratory licenses that were alleged to have gotten themselves involved in mining itself,” he told JoyNews.
Dr Ashigbey added that others, including political figures, must also be investigated. “We also should be looking at the NDC MP for Aowin. The NDC MP for Aowin has been accused by his traditional authority of being involved in galamsey. He says it’s not true and is accusing his chiefs, but that should be investigated,” he stated.
He continued, “The NDC constituency chairperson for Axim has been accused by Adables Resources, a large-scale mining firm, of being involved in galamsey. That should be investigated. If found culpable, they should be brought to book.”
Dr Ashigbey also called for renewed attention to the report issued by former Minister of Environment, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, which had named individuals allegedly involved in illegal mining should also be looked at.
Meanwhile, Akonta Mining insists it has done no wrong. Speaking to the media, the company’s lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi, said, “My client, Akonta Mining Company Limited, is a legitimate entity into mining… My instruction is that nobody from Akonta Mining has entered any forest in Ghana.”
“Akonta Mining has not violated any law in Ghana in respect of their mining license… We stand to reason that we will leave the investigation body to continue their work and they come out with their findings,” he added.
Akonta Mining is however in court today to challenge the revocation of its mining license and accusations that it is facilitating activities of illegal mining in its concession.
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