HELP Foundation Africa says Wontumi conviction should embolden authorities to prosecute financiers and politically exposed persons behind illegal mining

The Executive Director of HELP Foundation Africa, Kyei Yamoah, has described the conviction and sentencing of Akonta Mining owner and Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a significant milestone in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, saying it sends a strong warning to those involved in the illicit trade.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (21 July), Yamoah said the High Court’s decision demonstrates that individuals engaged in illegal mining could eventually be held accountable regardless of their influence.

“This is a very important signal,” Yamoah said.

He said anti-galamsey campaigners had consistently called for stronger law enforcement and prosecutions, arguing that years of weak enforcement had emboldened illegal miners and those financing their activities.

“We have called for strict enforcement, for strict prosecution, and this is a very important signal to those who have been engaged in illegal mining and those who are still actively engaged in illegal mining,” he said.

According to Yamoah, the conviction is likely to send shockwaves through the sector, particularly among financiers, politically exposed persons and public officials alleged to be facilitating illegal mining operations.

“I know that a lot of people are shaking because they know that if the law catches up with them, they would also face similar prosecution either now or in the future,” he said.

Yamoah argued that the ruling should serve as a warning not only to illegal miners but also to individuals who finance or enable their operations behind the scenes.

He said government officials, former political office holders and businesspeople who promote or benefit from illegal mining should equally be investigated and prosecuted.

“This is a clear signal to past administrative officers, political functionaries and current political functionaries who are engaged in promoting illegal mining. It is also a very good signal for the campaigners and the financiers who may not be political people but are behind financing these activities,” he said.

While welcoming the judgment, Yamoah cautioned that its significance would be diminished if authorities failed to pursue other individuals accused of involvement in illegal mining.

“We do not want to go into the merits of the judgment, but it is important that it is not selective enforcement or selective prosecution,” he said.

He noted that several people had been publicly named in connection with illegal mining under both previous and current administrations and urged law enforcement agencies to investigate those allegations without delay.

“We want to see immediately that they are also prosecuted. If not, then this will be an indication of selective enforcement,” he added.

The High Court last week sentenced Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment after convicting him on offences linked to illegal mining activities involving Akonta Mining, a ruling that has been welcomed by environmental advocates while intensifying calls for broader accountability in Ghana’s fight against galamsey.