Can You Push Me Out?- Wontumi Challenges Mahama over forest reserve mining

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is causing concern in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with a policy to amend laws and end uncontrolled mining in forest reserves.

John Dramani Mahama, the NDC flagbearer, has pledged to amend the law to stop indiscriminate mining in forest reserves, among other promises.

He threatened to expel Akonta Mining from forest reserves to save the environment.

The mining company in question is owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Chairman Wontumi, has interpreted this policy as Mr. Mahama’s attempt to use his quest for power to seek revenge against his opponents.

Chairman Wontumi claims that the difference between illegal and legal mining is simply documentation, and as a prominent businessman, obtaining the proper permits is not an issue. He has therefore challenged the NDC flagbearer to try and expel him from the forest reserve if he can.

“Can you push Wontumi? Even illegal and legal what is the difference? The difference is a document. So, as a veteran miner, I don’t know how to get documents done?” Wontumi questioned.

The CEO of Akonta Mining believes Mahama’s aim for contesting the election was to avenge his enemies.

“You want to win to avenge your enemies…anything concerning Ashanti, you don’t like it,” he added.