The government, through the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced the immediate revocation of all mining licences held by Akonta Mining Company Limited.
The decision follows what the Minister described as “overwhelming evidence” of illegal mining and criminal syndication.
Mr. Buah, who also serves as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, announced the revocation at a press conference in Accra on Monday.
He acknowledged that Akonta Mining was legally registered and granted a lease to mine off-reserve. However, the company breached mining regulations, including operating illegally in protected forest reserves.
“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 for a staggering GH₵300,000 per concession. Worse, these illegal miners operate under Akonta’s protection, devastating the River Tano and surrounding forests with impunity,” he stated.
Mr. Buah further explained that an undercover investigation uncovered a systematic illegal operation led by Akonta Mining, with company representatives allegedly negotiating illegal sub-leases. In exchange, weekly royalties of up to 250 grams of gold were reportedly paid back to Akonta by the illegal miners.
The findings also implicated forestry officers and security personnel in a widespread scheme that enabled the mining activities to continue unhindered.
“Part of the GH₵300,000 fee goes to Akonta Mining, a portion goes to individuals identified as Mr. Henry and ‘Shark,’ and another portion to some forestry and security officials who provide protection and tip-offs,” Mr. Buah added.
He said the investigation further revealed that Akonta Mining had encroached on Compartments 49 and 121 of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, despite having no legal lease or entry permit to operate there.
An intelligence-led operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission last Thursday led to the raid of six illegal sites linked to the company.
The 12-hour operation in Compartment 49 resulted in the arrest of 51 individuals — including eight Chinese nationals — and the seizure of heavy equipment and vehicles.
Recovered items included 30 excavators (five impounded), two pump-action guns, one single-barrel gun, two Toyota Hilux pickups, a Toyota RAV4, four motorbikes, and assorted mining equipment. All suspects have been transported to Accra and are currently in custody pending prosecution.
The Minerals Commission has been directed to revoke Akonta Mining’s lease immediately, while all forestry officials implicated in the scheme are to be interdicted as further investigations proceed.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, has since been briefed and has taken over the investigations.
In January 2023, then-President Akufo-Addo categorically dismissed claims that Akonta Mining Company Limited was involved in any illegal mining anywhere in Ghana.
Many groups and individuals have since demanded punitive measures against the company and its owners, led by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, for alleged illegal activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western North Region last year.
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