Petition against Wontumi’s Akonta Mining is useless, driven by hatred – Maurice Ampaw
Private legal practitioner Dr. Maurice Ampaw has described a petition filed by his colleague lawyer, Martin Kpebu, and the Convener of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition, Ken Ashigbey, against Chairman Wontumi’s Akonta Mining as useless and full of hatred.
The two prominent individuals have petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, expressing frustration over the prolonged delay in investigating Akonta Mining Ltd and its chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, for alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
In a letter dated February 24, 2025, and addressed to COP Faustina Andoh-Kwofie, the complainants reminded the CID that they had initially filed their petition on October 13, 2022.
However, since then, they have received little to no updates on the progress of the investigations. The only engagement they had with the authorities was a meeting sometime in 2023, and subsequent attempts—including a follow-up letter in 2024—to seek further information have been unsuccessful.
“We urge you to kindly update us on the case at your earliest convenience,” the petition read, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in handling the matter.
Commenting on the petition on Wontumi TV, where he serves as a program host, Dr. Maurice Ampaw emphasized that there is nothing to investigate regarding Wontumi’s Akonta Mining, as earlier investigations did not establish any wrongdoing.
“This petition is a useless petition, and it’s full of hatred. It is clear that lawyer Kpebu and his like-minded people are just bent on attacking Wontumi’s businesses and investments to weaken him. That is their agenda, but they will certainly fail. We will not sit down and allow unscrupulous people like Kpebu to victimize others whenever there is a regime change in Ghana. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources is going after those destroying the river bodies but Kpebu and his cohorts are not looking at that. They are rather focusing on an allegation against Wontumi for which he has already been cleared. There is not evidence to back that allegation, yet they write such useless petition create propaganda and destroy Wontumi’s image.”
Maurice Ampaw stated that no amount of attacks on Wontumi can destroy him and his legitimate businesses.
He added: “When the Akonta Mining issue came up, a lot of investigations were conducted by investigative bodies. The CID has conducted an investigation, and the Special Prosecutor has done his as well. There is no evidence that Chairman Wontumi is engaging in illegal mining in any forest, and everything has come to a standstill. This hatred against Chairman Wontumi must stop because it is becoming unbearable.
“Chairman Wontumi is a young man who has become successful through hard work. If you know his story and struggles, you will not victimize him. If there is a change in government, Chairman Wontumi cannot be the subject of attacks and an agenda to destroy him. This move, I know, cannot destroy him. Kpebu and his cohorts should shut up. They should give the CID Boss peace of mind.
Allegations against Akonta Mining
Akonta Mining and its chairman, Wontumi (Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP) , have been at the center of controversy for allegedly engaging in illegal mining operations within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, in violation of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995). These allegations have fueled public outcry, with civil society groups and environmental advocates calling for stricter enforcement of mining laws to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
Source: Adinkraradio.com
