News
Mining becomes illegal when operators work outside approved areas- Hopeson Adorye
The Director of Field Operations of the United Party, Hopeson Adorye says mining in Ghana is not illegal, but it becomes unlawful when miners operate outside the areas approved under their licences.
Speaking on Joy news today, while commenting on the conviction of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, Mr. Adorye said the prosecution successfully proved its case in court.
According to him, the trial, which lasted about nine months, established beyond reasonable doubt that illegal mining activities had taken place on the land in question.
Mr. Adorye said Chairman Wontumi admitted that the land belonged to him and claimed he had allowed some people to carry out land reclamation there.
He, however, said a prosecution witness from Chairman Wontumi’s company testified that the activities on the land were illegal mining and not land reclamation.
Mr. Adorye explained that mining itself is permitted under Ghana’s laws, provided operators work only in locations approved by the relevant authorities.
He said mining becomes illegal when operators move into forest reserves, water bodies or other unauthorized areas without approval.
According to him, some miners obtain licences to operate in designated locations but later move to different sites that are not covered by their permits.
He said there have been instances where security officers inspected mining licences and discovered that the permits presented were issued for entirely different locations.
Mr. Adorye further stated that the former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, had publicly indicated that Akonta Mining did not have a permit to operate in the area where the alleged illegal mining took place.
He added that the issue had also attracted national attention after former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo publicly commented on illegal mining during a public event.
Mr. Adorye maintained that the court’s judgment showed that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to prove its case.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Owass 107.3 MHz has appealed to the public and social media users to respect the privacy of the family of the late Seth Kwame Dzokoto following his death during an interview with the station’s morning show host, Prince Gyimah.
In a press release dated Thursday, October 22, 2026, the station expressed sadness over the incident and extended its condolences to the bereaved family, friends and loved ones.
The station acknowledged the commendations received by Prince Gyimah, the camera crew and the entire team for their professionalism during the difficult moment.
However, it stressed that the priority should be the life and memory of the late Seth Kwame Dzokoto rather than the recognition received by the team.
Owass FM urged the public, media practitioners and social media users to refrain from speculation, circulating unverified information and making comments that could worsen the pain of the bereaved family.
It further called for the family to be given the necessary time, privacy and space to grieve, adding that the public should await an official statement in due course.
The station concluded by expressing its heartfelt condolences to all who mourn the late former legislator and prayed for his soul to rest in perfect peace.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo has announced her intention to contest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries in the constituency, reversing her earlier decision to pursue opportunities beyond Dome-Kwabenya.
In a statement dated Thursday, October 22, 2026, she said her decision followed consultations with party leadership and executives, as well as further reflection on her commitment to the constituency.
Adwoa Safo, who represented Dome-Kwabenya in Parliament for 12 years, said she was determined to build on the development achieved during her tenure and address the constituency’s remaining challenges.
She highlighted the NPP’s electoral performance in the constituency under her leadership, noting that the party’s votes increased from 63,373 in 2012 to 75,041 in 2020.
She called on party members, stakeholders and constituents to engage with her as she seeks another opportunity to represent Dome-Kwabenya in Parliament.
By: Jacob Aggrey
