Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey has firmly denied allegations linking her to illegal mining activities in the region, describing the claims as baseless, unfounded, and entirely false.
According to the minister, she has never been involved in the practice and has therefore called on the public to disregard the fabrications levelled against her reputation.
Madam Akosua Awatey’s denial follows comments made on Aluta 92.1 FM by one Wendell Yeboah, Head of Mobilisation at Democracy Hub, during an interview in which he alleged that she had been involved in illegal mining activities.
In a press statement dated Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the minister reaffirmed her position, adding that she does not have a mining concession, let alone being involved in galamsey.
“I categorically deny these allegations made against me. These claims are baseless, unfounded, and completely untrue. I hereby state that, I do not own a mining concession in the Eastern Region or anywhere in this country. I have never and do not engage in illegal mining,” she pointed out.
According to her, she is committed to supporting government efforts to curb the galamsey menace, urging the public to ignore the false claims intended to damage her hard-earned reputation.
“As minister in charge of a region faced with illegal mining, I have accepted the responsibility of ensuring that government wins the fight against this illegal canker. I have, as always, acted with integrity and in the best interest of the people.
“The public is advised to disregard these fabrications and take them for what they are – malicious attempts to tarnish my reputation,” parts of the statement said.
She further pledged her commitment to “seeing the President’s vision of stoping illegal mining, ie the destruction of water bodies, lands and forest reserves come to an end.”
According to the minister, she has instructed her lawyers to take steps to compel Mr. Wendell Yeboah and the media house to immediately retract and apologise, indicating that failure to do so “shall attract the necessary legal actions.”
