Maxwell Ofosu Questions Wontumi’s Conviction Following Sammy Gyamfi’s Mining Remarks

Ofosu highlighted what he described as double standards in the government’s approach to “galamsey” (small-scale illegal mining). His comments follow a viral video in which Gyamfi stated that miners operating outside protected forest reserves, water bodies, or roadsides could commence mining prior to securing a formal license, with the government subsequently registering and regularizing their operations.

“Once it’s not a water body, it’s not a forest reserve… whether the person has a licence or not, government says we should allow the person to mine and register,” Gyamfi stated in the clip.

Ofosu contrasted Gyamfi’s stance with the legal fate of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman known as Chairman Wontumi. Wontumi and his firm, Akonta Mining Limited, were recently handed a 20-year prison sentence by an Accra High Court for illegal mining operations on their Samreboi concession, including charges of mining without a license.

“If Sammy Gyamfi suggests that miners can now operate before obtaining licences, then why is Chairman Wontumi in jail?” Ofosu questioned, arguing that legal principles must be applied uniformly to all operators.

The comments have intensified political debate surrounding anti-galamsey policy enforcement. NPP supporters claim the situation demonstrates selective application of the law. Conversely, NDC defenders argue Wontumi’s case differs fundamentally due to allegations of mining within protected forest reserves—a practice explicitly prohibited under Gyamfi’s outlined framework.

Gyamfi’s statement has drawn criticism from parliamentary lawmakers and environmental groups, who contend that allowing unlicensed mining under any condition undermines regulatory frameworks designed to protect natural resources.

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