Former President, John Mahama, has described as unacceptable and disturbing comments by President Nana Akufo-Addo absolving Akonta Mine of any illegality despite ongoing investigations by the Special Prosecutor.

In a post on Facebook, the former President said the penchant of president Akufo-Addo to absolve his appointees and party officials from any wrongdoing is a severe dent in the already deteriorating image of the presidency.

“As though proud of that dishonourable badge, ‘the clearing agent’, Nana Akufo-Addo has yet again justified the appropriateness of his nickname with the seeming presidential exoneration of Akonta Mining, a company owned by a member of his political party (NPP) and accused of illegal gold mining in the country’s forest reserves.”

“This sad development also erodes the years of hard work, which has earned Ghana international appeal in climate change and sustainable development discourse globally.”

President Akufo-Addo speaking at the 28th National and 16th Biennial Congress of the National Union of Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priests Association in Koforidua cleared the mining firm owned by the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi of any wrongdoing.

“I want to assure you all that Akonta Mine has not engaged in any form of illegal mining anywhere in Ghana as we speak,” the President said.

The mining firm is currently under investigation by the Special Prosecutor.