Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding illegal mining (galamsey) and water pollution, a name has surfaced in a recent report by The Fourth Estate. This individual is described as having a significant presence in the illegal mining industry.
He is linked to 15 mining companies, and his connections to the sector have drawn considerable attention. His involvement in mining has been a defining aspect of his career, but his activities have often conflicted with the government’s efforts to reform small-scale mining and combat illegal mining practices.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Small-Scale Mining, established by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was created to address the challenges posed by illegal mining. The committee was tasked with reviewing small-scale mining operations, curbing illegal activities, and promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible mining practices. Illegal mining has severely impacted Ghana’s forests, water bodies, and farmlands, with many government initiatives struggling to achieve lasting solutions.
This individual was a key member of the committee, providing him with a platform to influence mining policies and reforms. However, his tenure was cut short due to allegations that he sought to use his position for personal gain. Reports suggested that he was involved in discussions proposing that committee members could leverage their roles to engage in small-scale mining themselves.
These allegations raised concerns about a conflict of interest, particularly given his connections to 15 mining companies. The controversy damaged his reputation and led to his dismissal from the committee by President Akufo-Addo. The president’s decision was seen as part of his broader commitment to cleaning up the mining sector and eliminating obstacles in the fight against illegal mining.
Here are the 15 companies connected to this individual:
1. HAPIC Mining Limited
2. North Rock Limited
3. High Street Limited
4. Elite Minerals Ghana Limited
5. Sam and Gyan Limited
6. Akonta Mining Company Limited
7. Akosdwomo Company Limited
8. Clean-Jobs Resources
9. Unipower Mining Company Limited
10. FJ Minerals Ltd.
11. Ofori-Poku Company Ltd.
12. Kaboa Plux
13. RYGO Excel Globe Mining Ltd.
14. DML
15. Oleum Ghana Limited
His ties to these 15 mining companies have sparked significant concern, especially as the government intensifies efforts to regulate the mining industry. His substantial influence in the sector has led to questions about how his business interests might intersect with his public responsibilities and whether his removal from the committee was sufficient to address potential conflicts of interest.
Critics argue that his involvement in the mining industry highlights a broader issue of political figures having vested interests in sectors they are meant to regulate. This undermines the credibility of the government’s efforts to tackle illegal mining, particularly when those responsible for enforcing regulations are allegedly involved in the very activities they are supposed to prevent.
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