In a bold move to intensify the fight against illegal mining, the Government of Ghana has revoked the mining lease of Akonta Mining Company Limited, following a high-profile security operation that uncovered unauthorized mining activities in protected forest reserves.
The decision, announced by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, comes after a joint security task force arrested 51 individuals—including eight Chinese nationals—allegedly engaged in illegal mining under the guise of Akonta Mining.
“Akonta Mining does not have a lease to operate in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. Their activities there are illegal and criminal,” the Minister declared at a press briefing in Accra.
He stated that while the company holds a valid lease for off-reserve operations, investigations revealed that it had been illegally mining in restricted forest areas, including the Samreboi enclave in the Western North Region.
According to Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah, Akonta Mining ran what he described as a “criminal syndicate,” charging up to GH₵300,000 per concession to illegal miners in the Aboi Forest Reserve. The company allegedly also received weekly payments of 250 grams of gold from miners working under its protection.
He further alleged a network of collusion involving forestry officers and some security personnel who were complicit in the activities, accepting payments in exchange for protection and advance warnings of enforcement actions.
“Another heartbreaking revelation is the active connivance of certain forestry officials and security personnel, without whom this illegal enterprise could not thrive,” the Minister said, adding that several Forestry Commission officials have been interdicted pending investigations and potential prosecution.
The joint 12-hour operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission targeted six sites linked to Akonta Mining. Authorities seized approximately 30 excavators—five of which were impounded—along with firearms, mining equipment, and multiple vehicles, including two Toyota Hilux pickups and a Toyota RAV4.
Minister Armah-Kofi Buah reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources and warned those involved in illegal mining operations: “To the youth engaged in illegal mining, there are better, legal alternatives, and the government stands ready to support you. But to those who persist in breaking the law, the state will act without mercy.”
In response, Andy Appiah Kubi, speaking on behalf of Akonta Mining, denied any wrongdoing. In a telephone interview, he claimed the company had not authorized anyone to mine in forest reserves and insisted that any such individuals were acting fraudulently.
“We have not sent anyone into forestry lands, nor granted access to anyone to mine there,” he stated, asserting that the company has suspended all operations and has not been invited by any investigative body.
He criticized the Minister’s actions as premature and unlawful. “We have not been given an opportunity to present our side. The Minister is acting ultra vires,” Appiah Kubi said.
The Ministry emphasized that the license revocation and arrests are part of a broader crackdown on illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s forests, rivers, and ecological balance.
Source: Thepressradio.com
