Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has lamented the seeming involvement of President Akufo-Addo in the investigation into the operation of Akonta Mining Company over alleged engagement in illegal mining.
Describing the situation as “unacceptable”, he revealed that President Akufo-Addo has consistently put pressure on state anti-corruption institutions by announcing clearance of appointees and companies that are under investigation for wrongdoing. In light of this, he stated that the President is living up to his nickname, the ‘clearing agent’.
“As though proud of that dishonorable badge, ‘the clearing agent’, Nana Akufo-Addo has yet again justified the appropriateness of his nickname with the seeming presidential exoneration of Akonta Mining, a company owned by a member of his political party (NPP) and accused of illegal gold mining in the country’s forest reserves.”
John Dramani Mahama
His Excellency John Mahama noted that the penchant by the President to absolve his appointees and other close associates of any wrongdoing as he has done with the ongoing investigations into the operations of Akonta Mining Company is a serious dent on the already deteriorating image of the Office of the President.
The “shocking impudence”, Mr Mahama noted, is how and when the President made the statement, especially being at a public event called for by the country’s catholic clergy.
“Fortunately, and unfortunately, we are told by the owner of Akonta Mining that the Minister has explained to him they were forced to unwillingly act against his company because of public pressure from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), CSOs and NGOs.”
John Dramani Mahama
Investigation into Akonta Mining involvement in illegal mining
Mr Mahama underscored that the owner of Akonta Mining very alarmingly stated that the President called him “ostensibly to appease him over Government’s action and that the Office of Special Prosecutor cannot touch him”. This, he highlighted, is a sad commentary for a country that has in the past been held up in Africa as the “poster boy” for rule of law and democratic governance.
“This sad development also erodes the years of hard work, which has earned Ghana international appeal in climate change and sustainable development discourse globally.”
John Dramani Mahama
Additionally, Mr Mahama revealed that the President’s comment in the ongoing investigation cannot be allowed to override or become a substitute for the statutory mandate granted the investigative bodies of Ghana by the Constitution.
According to him, such acts fly in the face of justice and the fight against corruption and erodes the faith of citizens in democracy.
“As enjoined by our National Anthem to ‘cherish fearless honesty’ and ‘resist oppressors’ rule,’ we must all as citizens support the anti-corruption institutions to carry out their duties fairly and courageously without undue interference by any influences.”
John Dramani Mahama
On January 4, 2023, President Akufo-Addo speaking at the 28th National and 16th Biennial Congress of the National Union of Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, stated that Akonta Mining Company is not “engaged in any illegal mining anywhere in Ghana as we speak”.
In defending the President, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Jinapor, revealed that the statement by the President cannot absolve the mining company neither can it interfere with any investigations. This, he explained, is because the President was not speaking out of context but was speaking in response to an “anxiety” which was expressed by a speaker at the conference.
The Minister emphasized that the President must rather be commended for his efforts in the fight against the canker. Similarly, he indicated that government has reviewed its strategy to fight illegal mining in the country.
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