In the midst of this galamsey and water pollution brouhaha, a name has emerged in a recent article by the Fourth Estate media. This character is described as one who has a heavy presence in the illegal mining business.
He is the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 Parliamentary candidate for the Juaben Constituency in the Ashanti Region. His connections to the mining sector have become a topic of interest, especially following revelations that he is linked to 15 mining companies.
Owusu-Akyaw’s political journey has been marked by his significant involvement in the mining sector, a key industry in Ghana. However, his activities have not always aligned with the government’s vision of transforming small-scale mining, especially in light of the ongoing fight against illegal mining (galamsey). His tenure on the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Small-Scale Mining, a body created by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, ended abruptly when he was removed from his position.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Small-Scale Mining was established by President Akufo-Addo in as part of a broader strategy to combat illegal mining in Ghana. The committee was tasked with reviewing the state of small-scale mining, curbing illegal activities, and ensuring that mining is conducted in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner. Illegal mining had become a menace, ravaging Ghana’s forests, water bodies, and farmlands, with many government initiatives struggling to produce lasting solutions.
Owusu-Akyaw was a key member of this committee, offering him a platform to shape policy and reforms in the mining sector. However, his time on the committee was cut short due to allegations that he proposed using his position for personal gain. He was reportedly involved in conversations suggesting that committee members could leverage their roles to engage in small-scale mining themselves.
This sparked concerns about a conflict of interest, especially considering his connections to 15 mining companies. These allegations tarnished his reputation and prompted President Akufo-Addo to dismiss him from the committee. The president’s decision was seen as part of his broader commitment to clean up the mining sector and root out elements that might hinder the fight against illegal mining.
Here are the 15 companies connected to Francis Owusu-Akyaw from the image you provided:
1. HAPIC Mining Limited
2. North Rock Limited
3. High Street Limited
4. Elite Minerals Ghana Limited
5. Sam and Gyan Limited
6. Akonta Mining Company Limited
7. Akosdwomo Company Limited
8. Clean-Jobs Resources
9. Unipower Mining Company Limited
10. FJ Minerals Ltd
11. Ofori-Poku Company Ltd
12. Kaboa Plux
13. RYGO Excel Globe Mining Ltd
14. DML
15. Oleum Ghana Limited
Owusu-Akyaw’s ties to 15 mining companies have raised eyebrows, especially at a time when the government is working tirelessly to regulate the mining industry. His influence in the mining sector is substantial, and his connections to so many companies suggest that he is a significant player in the industry. This has raised questions about how his business interests might intersect with his political ambitions and whether his removal from the committee was enough to mitigate any potential conflict of interest.
Many critics argue that Owusu-Akyaw’s business activities in the mining industry reflect a broader issue of political figures having vested interests in sectors they are supposed to regulate. This undermines the integrity of the government’s efforts to tackle illegal mining, especially when those tasked with enforcing the laws are allegedly involved in the very activities they are supposed to prevent.
A very intriguing character in the frenzy for permits to mine in forest reserves is Francis Owusu-Akyaw, the NPP’s 2024 Parliamentary candidate for the Juaben Constituency in the Ashanti Region. He is connected to 15 companies. pic.twitter.com/nRLVg02GSY
— The Fourth Estate (@fourthestategh) September 5, 2024
