President John Dramani Mahama has stressed the need to shift focus in the fight against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) by targeting the real financiers and kingpins behind the operations, rather than only arresting the young men working in the pits.
Speaking at a meeting with civil society organizations in Accra on Friday, October 3, President Mahama said:
“Those who run the operations are the ones we must arrest, not the boys. We need to change the mode of arrest and go after the kingpins so that we are able to make real progress.”
No State of Emergency Yet on Galamsey
On calls to declare a state of emergency over illegal mining, the President explained that advice from the National Security Council suggests the fight can still be won without such a declaration.
“The President acts on the advice of the National Security Council. The day they advise me otherwise, I will not hesitate to declare a state of emergency,” Mahama stated.
Key Measures to Tackle Illegal Mining
President Mahama also outlined measures to strengthen the fight against galamsey, including:
- Registration and licensing of excavators to help track their usage.
- Penalties for shipping lines that import excavators without government permits.
- Mandatory registration of all excavators with identifiable owners.
“Every excavator must be registered with its owner known. Shipping companies that bring excavators into Ghana without permission will be sanctioned,” he warned.
Progress Report from Lands Minister
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, highlighted government’s progress in addressing illegal mining. He praised Mahama’s leadership, saying:
“We have made progress and are on the right path. What gives me confidence is the political will and leadership that President Mahama is providing.”
Attorney-General Confirms Case Against Chairman Wontumi
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, announced that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and his company Akonta Mining, face charges over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.
Dr. Ayine revealed that Wontumi has been directed to report to Accra on Monday, October 6, for his charges to be read. Failure to appear will result in his immediate arrest.
“The charges against Wontumi and Akonta Mining have been signed. If he does not appear, I will order his arrest,” the Attorney-General said.
CID Investigations into Akonta Mining
Earlier, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) confirmed that investigations into Akonta Mining are ongoing. CID Director-General, DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, said several persons of interest have been questioned, including Wontumi and one of his partners, Akuoko.
Chairman Wontumi first appeared before the CID on May 26, 2025, with his legal counsel, former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, and ex-MP Andy Appiah-Kubi. He has since denied all allegations of illegal mining, insisting that Akonta Mining operates under a valid large-scale mining license.
“I am not into galamsey. My company has all the required documents, and I will provide them. Let the law work,” he said on his television channel, Wontumi TV.
