Ampain: Mr. Francis Alu Anlimah, Ellembelle National Democratic Congress (NDC) Deputy Communications Officer, has asked the public not to politicise the revocation of the mining leases of ADAMUS Resources Limited. According to him, "this is not the time for political witch-hunt but offers an opportunity to do an introspection of an asset which is in the interest of the nation."
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Anlimah, who is also the DRIP Coordinator of Ellembelle District, was addressing the media at Ampain in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region. The revocation of three mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited was recently announced by the President and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. This decision followed infractions on their concession, including subcontracting part of their concession to foreign nationals for alluvial mining without ministerial approval, among others.
Mr. Anlimah also dismissed rumours circulating that the Lands Minister has a vested interest in the mining company and was prepared to hand over the mine to either Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, brother of the President, or Mr. Frank Buah, brother of the Lands Minister. He stated that the revocation statement from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources was the result of a thorough investigation by the Minerals Commission, which uncovered numerous infractions observed by the indigenes of Ellembelle in the company.
He emphasized that the move was "in the interest of the state and not in the parochial interests of the President nor the Minister and neither is it politically motivated." Mr. Anlimah further clarified, "It is not a matter of taking the mining leases of ADAMUS by force for another company, but the move is part of government's broader measures to safeguard mining operations and the environment."
The Ellembelle Constituency NDC Deputy Communications Officer mentioned, "after further engagements, if ADAMUS Resources Limited is not found culpable, then the company will be allowed to continue, but anything contrary to that, the company will cease operations." He pointed out that the high turbidity of the River Ankobra was a result of ADAMUS leasing out part of its concessions to foreign nationals for alluvial mining, while refusing indigenes of Salman the concession to do the same.