The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has ordered the immediate revocation of all mining licenses held by Akonta Mining Company Limited following serious allegations of illegal mining and regulatory breaches.
At a press conference on Monday, April 21, Mr. Buah stated that Akonta Mining has been implicated in unlawful activities, including engaging in illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and violating established mining regulations.
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According to the Minister, the company has been operating illegally in the Aboi Forest Reserve, where it allegedly sold mining concessions to unauthorised miners for up to GH₵300,000 per concession, and in some cases, in exchange for gold royalties.
“This company has not only trespassed into protected reserves but has become a criminal syndicate, selling access to the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners,” Mr. Buah said. “Worse, these illegal miners operate under Akonta’s protection, devastating the River Tano and surrounding forests with impunity.”
He disclosed that under an arrangement with the illegal miners, Akonta Mining receives weekly payments of 250 grams of gold.
In response, the Minister has directed the Minerals Commission to immediately revoke all leases held by Akonta Mining. He has also ordered the interdiction of forestry officials allegedly connected to the illegal activities, pending investigations and possible prosecution.
The security agencies have been tasked to probe security officers who had dealings with the company in the forest reserve, while the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has been briefed and is leading further investigations.
Mr. Buah emphasised that Akonta Mining has no legal lease to mine in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve and described the company’s activities there as illegal and criminal.
He issued a stern warning to other large-scale mining companies exploiting their legal status to fund the destruction of forests and river bodies: “We know some of your schemes – We are coming after you.”
