The NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, among other promises, has pledged to amend the law to end the cycle of indiscriminate mining in forest reserves.
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Mahama, says that if elected into office, he will amend the law to end the cycle of indiscriminate mining in forest reserves.
According to him, forest reserves are currently being taken over by illegal mining, which has contaminated water sources and affected crop production.
This, he said, was a threat to human existence since it might probably be left for the next generation if this is not checked.
He threatened to kick Akonta Mining from mining in forest reserves. This pledge has generated a reaction from the owner of Akonta mining company, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly called Chairman Wontumi.
Mr. Wontumi, who is also the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, argues that Mr. Mahama’s quest for power is to avenge his enemies. He said, “You want to win to avenge your enemies. Anything concerning Ashanti, you don’t like it.”
Chairman Wontumi further argued that the difference between illegal mining and legitimate mining is documentation, and for a businessman of his calibre, acquiring legal documents is not a problem.
He further challenged the NDC flagbearer to push him out of the forest reserve if he could.
“Can you push Wontumi? Even illegal and legal, what is the difference? The difference is a document. So, as a veteran miner, I don’t know how to get documents done?” He challenged.
