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The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known ‘Chairman Wontumi’ has categorically stated that he has never been involved in any illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.

“Why should I, who is always campaigning against persons who refuse to abide by laws of the country hold-on to operations that I know will destroy the country’s natural resources,” he sought to know.

In an interview with Asempa FM’s ‘Ekosii Sen’ programme, Chairman Wontumi further explained that there is a vast distinction between legal small-scale miners and galamsey operators, therefore, it is unfair when the two are described as one.

He added that he is not moved when some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) say he is part of the master minders involved in galamsey operations.

According to him they are jealous of him claiming he used funds from his illegal mining business to fund his party's 2016 campaign programmes.

According to him, he has no doubt in mind that President Akufo-Addo and his government would be the best and only government to stop galamsey operations, to the extent that even his party members who are caught would not be spared.

Chairman Wontumi noted that his license as the Managing Director of HANSOL Mining Limited to engage in both small and large-scale mining under the Mills-Mahama administration was intentionally destroyed by the inter-ministerial taskforce set up by the NDC government to clamp down on illegal mining activities.

“I’m not surprised the NDC is accusing me of engaging in galamsey activities, because they deliberately pushed me out of business by invading my office and setting my mining equipment ablaze even though my business was legally registered and was operating within the mining laws of Ghana. They are just jealous of me,” he stated.