Wontumi’s case raises questions on political accountability — Kwame Owusu Danso
Legal and political analyst Kwame Owusu Danso, Esq., has urged Ghanaian authorities to confront what he calls the “culture of selective accountability,” warning that the ongoing illegal mining controversy surrounding Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Limited, exposes a deeper governance problem rather than just an environmental one.
Owusu Danso argued that illegal mining has become a “symptom of weak political will and elite protectionism,” where enforcement is often directed at vulnerable local miners instead of the powerful individuals financing and coordinating the operations.
Using Chairman Wontumi’s Akonta Mining as an example, Owusu Danso said the controversy highlights how business and politics have become deeply entangled in Ghana’s extractive sector.
He recalled that the Ghana Police Service and other agencies had conducted investigations into Akonta Mining’s alleged operations within forest reserves without the required approvals, a matter that sparked public outrage in 2022.
“The issue is not about one person,” he explained. “It is about how state institutions handle cases that involve politically exposed persons. When evidence exists and investigations confirm unauthorized mining, we must allow the law to work without fear or favour.”
Mr Owusu Danso insisted that upholding the rule of law is central to restoring public trust, arguing that any perception of political interference in enforcement weakens the moral authority of government to lead national reform.
The lawyer’s comments come amid renewed calls for stronger independence of investigative and regulatory bodies such as the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
He stressed that these institutions must not be perceived as politically manipulated or protective of certain interests, particularly when evidence points to breaches of environmental or mining laws.
“When politicians are connected to business interests in natural resource exploitation, conflicts of interest arise,” Owusu Danso warned. “We need a clear separation between political authority and private commercial activity to ensure fair governance.”
The Akonta Mining case continues to shape public opinion on how seriously Ghana’s leadership is taking the fight against illegal mining and, by extension, corruption.
Public sentiment has often been that enforcement operations target the powerless while powerful actors face few consequences.
Speaking on GBC’s “Current Agenda”, Mr Owusu Danso believes that addressing this perception is key to restoring public confidence.
He emphasized that transparency, prosecution where necessary, and consistent enforcement of mining laws, irrespective of political standing, will define the credibility of any anti-galamsey campaign.