A pressure group, OccupyGhana, has charged President Akufo-Addo to take action on matters pertaining to Akonta mining.

According to the group, one of Ghana’s weaknesses in the fight to control and regulate illegal mining, has been the inability, unwillingness or unpreparedness of the government to apply the law. This weakness, it explained, is what has led, in substantial part, to illegal mining becoming the “hydra-headed headache” that currently exists.

OccupyGhana revealed that currently, illegal mining is not limited to mining without a licence or lease. It stated that work has shown that some companies with just reconnaissance or prospecting licences engage in mining, which is illegal.

“That must change, and the issue concerning Akonta Mining Ltd, just like the Aisha Huang matter, is a key test of your resolve to end illegal mining. If that company is not engaged in illegal mining, the police investigations will absolve them. If, however, it is engaged in illegal mining, then the police will take the requisite steps.”
OccupyGhana

OccupyGhana stated that persons holding mining leases or small-scale mining licences over defined concession areas have extended mining operations to areas not covered by the documents. It noted that this is probably the “most invidious” of all illegal mining.

The pressure group stated that such persons tend to use the documents to deceive others and worse, secure the protection of the country’s security agencies, as both the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its Minerals Commission look on helplessly.

“We were therefore struck by the 30^th September, 2022 and 3^rd October, 2022 press releases by the Ministry and the Commission respectively, which emphatically stated that a company called Akonta Mining Ltd, which has a mining lease over a specific concession, had illegally entered the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve and conducted mining operations there. Videos published by the press suggest that our security agencies have been protecting these operations.”
OccupyGhana

Ministry of Lands and Minerals Commission charged to pursue case

The Ministry and Commission, OccupyGhana underscored, must have sufficient evidence to back their press statements. That evidence, it highlighted, is what the police and Attorney-General require to launch criminal investigations into the matter, and when satisfied, prosecute the company and its directors and officers for the requisite offences under the Minerals and Mining Act.

“Therefore, on 30 September 2022, we wrote to the Minister (ref: OG/2022/036) to request that he sends the evidence then in his custody to the police and Attorney-General. The Minister has neither acknowledged receipt nor, to our information, acted…”
OccupyGhana

To address the matter, OccupyGhana appealed to the President to give the Lands Minister and the Minerals Commission a simple instruction to “send all the information in their custody” to the police and the Attorney-General.

The group emphasized that it is such acts and omissions by government appointees that convince illegal miners that the government cannot stop their operations. It indicated that such talks convinces several Ghanaians that all they have from the government is “mere talk” that will not be backed by any action.

“We want to see the commitment behind your declared intention to end the menace posed by galamsey, manifested in this matter too. Mr President, we once again urge you to lead the charge, as decisive action is required to save the nation from the dangers of galamsey.”
OccupyGhana