Mining consultant, Wisdom Gomashie has called for due process in handling allegations against mining operations linked to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), arguing that any infractions should be addressed under existing mining laws rather than public speculation.
Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (25 April), Gomashie said that Wontumi is not involved in small-scale mining but holds a licence for large-scale operations, which are regulated under Ghana’s mining framework.
He added that any environmental breaches should be handled through established regulatory procedures under Ghana’s mining laws, including enforcement by the Minerals Commission.
“Chairman Wontumi is not involved in small scale mining. He has applied for a license for a large-scale mining activity,” Gomashie stated.
“If any of his operations have affected the environment in line with Ghana’s mining Act 703 and also with LI 218(2), there are procedures to take him through,” he said.
Due process
Gomashie compared enforcement in Ghana’s mining sector to international practice, arguing that large multinational firms are not subjected to external arrests over regulatory breaches.
He noted that the Minerals Commission’s inspectorate division typically applies fines or corrective measures where necessary.
“The big companies like Newmont, anytime there are infractions in line with their activity do we go abroad and arrest the owners of the companies into the country?” he said.
“The Minerals Commission through its inspectorate division sometimes issues fines or corrective activities and it is corrected,” he said.
Caution
Gomashie cautioned against what he described as premature targeting of individuals, insisting that legal processes should be followed.
“So Chairman Wontumi should not quickly be drawn into the picture. This is somebody handling large scale activities and if an aspect has been illegal, you can prosecute him on that end,” he said.
He added that stakeholders would continue to push government agencies to enforce mining regulations effectively.
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