NPP Party Demands Update on Galamsey Probe Against Yamin, Ab

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the John Mahama administration of engaging in "selective prosecution" following the conviction of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.

The party's General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, alleged that while the government has aggressively pursued political opponents, it has failed to act against individuals within its own ranks who have been publicly linked to illegal mining activities. Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday, July 20, for his role in illegal mining on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

Justin Kodua Frimpong rejected the idea that the government's prosecution of Chairman Wontumi is evidence of its commitment to tackling illegal mining. "Today, the John Mahama-led NDC government may seek to celebrate this conviction as evidence of its commitment to the fight against illegal mining… We reject that narrative entirely," he said.

The NPP argues that the government is attempting to use Chairman Wontumi's conviction as a "trophy" to deflect attention from its failure to deal with illegal mining involving individuals associated with the governing party. "They think the conviction of Chairman Wontumi will be the trophy to appease the Ghanaian people for such failure. This is no trophy," Kodua Frimpong stated.

The opposition party questioned what action had been taken against persons President Mahama had previously acknowledged were involved in illegal mining. It also cited petitions submitted to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and allegations involving some NDC officials and Members of Parliament, asking why those cases had not received the same level of attention.

"What has become of the petition submitted to EOCO seeking an investigation into allegations concerning Mr Joseph Yamin and Abanga Yakubu? What happened to the allegations involving the Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South and the Member of Parliament for Aowin?" Kodua Frimpong queried.

The NPP maintained that the fight against illegal mining would only be credible if the law was applied equally to all persons, regardless of their political affiliation. "Justice cannot be selective. The fight against illegal mining cannot become credible only when it targets political opponents while overlooking allegations involving others, especially from the President's own party," he said.

The party also rejected the legal basis of Chairman Wontumi's conviction, arguing that the prosecution failed to produce evidence that he unlawfully assigned or transferred his mineral rights. The NPP has indicated that it will challenge the judgment through the appellate process.

Source: JOY