Investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor says Ghana still has a long way to go in holding accountable individuals and companies responsible for severe environmental destruction, despite the conviction of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Speaking on JoyNews' The Pulse on Monday, July 20, Mr Asare Donkor said the conviction should not be viewed as the end of the fight against illegal mining, but rather a step towards ensuring that more people who have contributed to the destruction of Ghana's natural resources face justice.

According to him, the issue is not about celebrating the imprisonment of an individual but ensuring that the rule of law prevails.

"It is not about being happy for the incarceration or the taking away of somebody's freedom, but it is about the rule of law taking its course," he said.

Mr Asare Donkor said his investigative reports on illegal mining activities in the Samreboi area and the destruction of the Tano River have highlighted the environmental damage caused by mining operations linked to Akonta Mining Limited.

He explained that since late 2021, he and his team have produced several reports, including the documentary Destruction for Gold, which captured evidence of illegal mining activities and their impact on the Tano Forest Reserve and the Tano River.

He recalled that during investigations, some Chinese nationals mining along the Tano River referred them to Akonta Mining Limited when questioned about their licences, an indication of the company's alleged involvement in activities in the area.

Mr Asare Donkor said despite the reports and evidence gathered, authorities at the time failed to take decisive action to halt the destruction.

"We kept highlighting them. Did the government pay heed to us? No. Back then, we had no response from government on the way forward," he said.

He argued that relevant state agencies could have intervened earlier by stopping the mining activities, imposing sanctions or revoking licences where necessary.

The journalist, however, stressed that the case of Akonta Mining and Chairman Wontumi is only one example of a much broader environmental crisis.

He cited the destruction of the Pamprama Forest Reserve, where he said Heritage Imperial Limited carried out mining activities before obtaining a licence, leaving the state to spend taxpayers' money on reclamation efforts.

"We have a long way to go concerning the list of people who have done extreme harm or committed nature crimes to this country, who need to answer for this before we can clamp down on the impunity that is going on," he stated.

Mr Asare Donkor called for sustained investigations and prosecution of individuals and companies whose activities have contributed to the degradation of Ghana's forests and water bodies.

His comments follow the Accra High Court's conviction and sentencing of Chairman Wontumi to 20 years' imprisonment over illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region