A new report by The Fourth Estate has revealed that Francis Owusu-Akyaw, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate (PC) for the Juaben Constituency in the Ashanti Region, is connected to 15 different mining companies.
Mr Owusu-Akyaw’s engagement with these companies has come under scrutiny, especially considering his role in the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Small-Scale Mining, which was tasked with cracking down on illegal mining and reforming the small-scale mining sector.
Owusu-Akyaw was reportedly dismissed from the committee for allegedly suggesting to the then-Secretary, Charles Bissue, that they could exploit their positions to engage in small-scale mining. This revelation has raised questions about his involvement in the mining sector and its impact on Ghana’s forest reserves.
Mining Companies Linked to Francis Owusu-Akyaw:
- Hapic Mining Limited
- North Rock Limited
- High Street Limited
- Elite Minerals Ghana Limited
- Sam and Gyan Limited
- Akonta Mining Company Limited
- Akosdwomo Company Limited
- Clean-Jobs Resources
- Unipower Mining Company Limited
- FJ Minerals Limited
- Ofori-Poku Company Ltd
- Kaboa Plux
- RYGO Excel Globe Mining Ltd
- DML Investment Limited
- Oleum Ghana Limited
Several of these companies, including Sam and Gyan Limited, Unipower Mining Company Limited, Hapic Mining Limited, and FJ Minerals Limited, hold leases to mine in forest reserves. Additionally, Oleum Ghana Limited and Akonta Mining, which is owned by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (popularly known as Chairman Wontumi), have pending applications with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
One of the companies, DML Investment Limited, is personally owned by Owusu-Akyaw. He is listed as a director of the company and is described on the DML website as a mineral consultant. Interestingly, DML was mentioned in the controversial will of the late Forestry Commission CEO, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, who bequeathed land in the Achimota Forest to the company.
In addition to DML Investment Limited, Owusu-Akyaw co-owns FJ Minerals Limited with one Joyce Nyarku. This company, incorporated in June 2022, applied for concessions in several forest reserves, including the Jimira and Jimira Extension Forest Reserves and the Tano Suraw Forest Reserve in Sefwi Wiawso.
Owusu-Akyaw’s extensive involvement in mining raises concerns about the potential impact on Ghana’s forest reserves, as his mining operations continue to expand. His connections within the top hierarchy of the Minerals Commission are also being cited as a “competitive advantage,” as noted on the DML website.
This report highlights the intricate network of mining interests tied to a prominent political figure, fueling ongoing debates about the preservation of Ghana’s forest reserves and the fight against illegal mining.
