Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has dismissed claims that the government is politically targeting Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in its renewed fight against illegal mining, locally called galamsey.

Speaking on Prime Insight on Joy Prime on Saturday, October 4, during discussions on President John Mahama’s recent engagement with civil society organisations (CSOs) on the galamsey menace, where Attorney-General Dominic Ayine announced that Chairman Wontumi would face prosecution over the alleged involvement of his firm, Akonta Mining, in illegal mining, Mr Kotoko said the government’s actions were not politically motivated but based on evidence.

“It is not targeting, but we live in this country, and one person who publicly always displayed wealth, displayed gold, etc., was Wontumi,” he said.

Read also: Galamsey: Charges against Wontumi, five others have been signed, prosecution will begin – AG

He added that he had personally been involved in field operations where illegal mining activities were uncovered. “I was part of the team that was moved to Samreboi on that day, and if you see what happened there,” he revealed.

He highlighted some of the dangers of illegal mining and its impact on society. “I am a father, I’m a parent. And when I see these things happen, I worry not even because of the people but because of myself and my family,” he said.

He also shared details about the spiritual and criminal networks tied to illegal mining. According to him, some of the young men recruited by powerful financiers were bound by oaths and rituals, making them extremely loyal and difficult to interrogate.

“There’s a whole lot of myth surrounding gold. It is a spirit, it grows, this and that. So when these kingpins employ these small boys into the whole enterprise, they make them take all manner of vows and blood covenants. Catch him, try to cut even his throat, he will not want to disclose,” Mr Kotoko explained.

He said the Forestry Commission was currently monitoring several suspected operatives to track their financiers and networks.

“One of the things we are doing now is monitoring some of them, so that we can finally trace who and where they actually engage in this enterprise. If we do not do these things, we will only be deceiving ourselves,” he said.

He also addressed discussions around calls for a state of emergency, explaining that while the President holds executive powers, decisions must still follow due process.

“You can take a decision as President to press this button, but when you leave office, you will be queried as to whether you took that action properly. Yes, the Constitution gives executive powers, but there are still standard protocols to go through before doing so,” he said.

Mr Kotoko said that bypassing such procedures could have legal consequences.

“If you do not go through those protocols, you will be found culpable under the law, even though you think you have executed a mandate given by the Constitution. So, whether acting on or against advice from the national security council, you must have very good reasons for your decision,” he said.