Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has denied reports he is involved in illegal mining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the Forestry Commission was directed to halt the activities of Akonta Mining Limited\u2019s operation<\/strong>, Mr. Boasiako said he was willing to allow due process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work,\u201d he said on his TV station, Wontumi TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mr. Boasiako also responded to speculation that he is involved in illegal mining, saying, \u201cI want to tell the public that I am not into galamsey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have a large scale company which Akonta mining is under\u2026 All the required documents I have, I will make all available,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Akonta Mining Company Limited was said to have been operating unlawfully in the Nimri Tano forest reserve in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the government, while the mining company has a lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, the company has no mineral right to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri forest reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There have been calls for the prosecution of persons running Akonta Mining Limited\u2019s operation in the forest reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n