Paul Kwabena Yandoh, the Ashanti Regional Communication Director for the NPP has mounted a strong defence for Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, insisting that he is a responsible and law-abiding miner.
Speaking in an interview on Okay FM’s “Ade Akye Abia” show hosted by Ohenenana Kwame Amoh, Mr. Yandoh stated that Wontumi possesses all the required legal documents for his mining operations and conducts his business in accordance with Ghana’s mining regulations.
According to him, Chairman Wontumi operates a single concession, and within that area, he has consistently practiced responsible mining, ensuring that every mined land has been fully reclaimed.
“Chairman Wontumi is not into galamsey. He has his documents and follows due process. Every land he has mined has been reclaimed. He is a responsible miner who does things the right way,” Mr. Yandoh emphasized.
He explained that the challenges on Wontumi’s concession arose due to encroachers, not from any illegal activities by the NPP Chairman himself. Mr. Yandoh revealed that Wontumi had written several letters to relevant authorities seeking assistance to remove the encroachers, but no help came.
“He reported the encroachers several times, but the help never came. If there were illegal activities on his concession, they were not by his doing. The authorities failed to respond to his pleas,” he said.
Touching on the ongoing legal dispute involving Wontumi, Mr. Yandoh described the ₵250 billion compensation demand reportedly being pursued in court as outrageous. He noted that Wontumi’s legal team and close associates are currently appealing to well-meaning supporters and loved ones for assistance to meet certain court conditions tied to the case.
“The amount being demanded is outrageous. We are now calling on loved ones and supporters to come to his aid so that he can meet the necessary legal conditions,” he appealed.
Mr. Yandoh concluded by alleging that the government’s actions appeared to be a deliberate attempt to financially drain Chairman Wontumi. However, he maintained that the existence of certain legal safeguards has so far prevented such attempts from succeeding.
