The government, represented by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has declared the immediate cancellation of all mining licenses held by Akonta Mining Company Limited.
This action is based on what the Minister referred to as “overwhelming evidence” of illegal mining activities and organized criminal operations.
Mr. Buah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, made this announcement during a press conference in Accra on Monday.
He recognized that Akonta Mining was legally registered and had been granted a lease for off-reserve mining. However, the company violated mining regulations by operating unlawfully within protected forest reserves.
“This company has not only encroached upon protected areas but has also transformed into a criminal syndicate, charging illegal miners GH₵300,000 per concession for access to the Aboi Forest Reserve. Even more concerning, these illegal miners operate with the protection of Akonta, causing significant damage to the River Tano and adjacent forests without facing consequences,” he remarked.
Mr. Buah elaborated that an undercover investigation revealed a coordinated illegal operation orchestrated by Akonta Mining, with representatives of the company allegedly facilitating illegal sub-leases. In return, it was reported that illegal miners paid weekly royalties of up to 250 grams of gold back to Akonta.
The investigation also implicated forestry officials and security personnel in a broad scheme that allowed these mining activities to proceed without interruption.
“Part of the GH₵300,000 fee is allocated to Akonta Mining, while portions are distributed to individuals known as Mr. Henry and ‘Shark,’ as well as some forestry and security officials who provide protection and advance warnings,” Mr. Buah added.
He further stated that the investigation uncovered that Akonta Mining had intruded into Compartments 49 and 121 of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, despite lacking any legal lease or entry permit for operations in that area.
An intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Ghana Police Service in collaboration with the Forestry Commission on Thursday resulted in the dismantling of six illegal sites associated with the company.
This extensive 12-hour operation in Compartment 49 led to the apprehension of 51 individuals, including eight Chinese nationals, and the confiscation of heavy machinery and vehicles.
The items recovered during the operation comprised 30 excavators (five of which were impounded), two pump-action shotguns, one single-barrel shotgun, two Toyota Hilux trucks, a Toyota RAV4, four motorcycles, and various mining equipment. All suspects have been transported to Accra and are currently in custody awaiting prosecution.
The Minerals Commission has been instructed to immediately revoke Akonta Mining’s lease, and all forestry officials involved in the operation are to be suspended as further investigations are conducted.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, has been informed and has assumed control of the investigations.
In January 2023, former President Akufo-Addo firmly rejected allegations that Akonta Mining Company Limited was engaged in any illegal mining activities within Ghana.
Since then, numerous groups and individuals have called for punitive actions against the company and its owners, spearheaded by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, for purported illegal activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western North Region last year.
