High Court erred in law in Wontumi judgment – John Darko

The High Court in Accra convicted Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited over illegal mining-related offences, finding them guilty of unlawfully assigning mineral rights without approval from the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources and facilitating illegal mining activities on the company's Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

The lawmaker further contended that the court misinterpreted the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), arguing that the legislation does not make the transfer of an interest in a mining concession without ministerial approval a criminal offence.

Speaking on Channel One TV, Mr Darko said: "If you look at Act 703, it says you cannot transfer an interest in a concession without ministerial approval.