Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi has firmly denied any involvement in illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
Speaking to journalists after an interrogation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Monday, Chairman Wontumi maintained that he has only participated in lawful and responsible mining activities.
“I was invited by the police and accused of engaging in galamsey. I presented my mining licence to prove that I operate within the law,” he stated.
Responding to claims that he had been operating within a forest reserve, he denied the allegation, saying: “They said I was working in the forest, but I told them it wasn’t me. If there is evidence, I challenge them to show it.”
Chairman Wontumi did confirm that he had once applied for a mining licence in a forest area, but clarified that the request was denied. According to him, the Forestry Commission, Lands Commission, and Minerals Commission informed him that the land had been designated for environmental protection.
“So if there’s any activity going on there now, I am not involved and have no knowledge of it,” he said.
