The Government of Ghana has taken decisive action against Akonta Mining Company Limited, following mounting evidence of the company’s involvement in illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey, within protected forest reserves.
In a firm declaration during a press conference held on Monday, April 21, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, announced the immediate revocation of all mining licenses held by Akonta Mining.
“In light of the overwhelming evidence, I have authorised the Minerals Commission to take steps to revoke the lease of Akonta Mining Co. Ltd with immediate effect.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
According to the Minister, investigations have uncovered that Akonta Mining has been engaging in criminal operations, including unauthorised mining within the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves—areas that are legally protected from such activities.
“This company has not only trespassed into protected reserves but has become a criminal syndicate, selling access of the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners for a staggering GH₵300,000 per concession.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
Even more alarming, the Minister disclosed that the company allegedly protected illegal miners under its name, while engaging in a scheme to collect weekly royalties from their operations.
“As part of the agreement between Akonta Mining and the illegal miners, weekly royalties of 250 grams of gold are to be paid to the company, lining the pockets of Akonta’s collaborators.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The River Tano, a vital water body in the region, has suffered environmental devastation due to these unauthorized activities, with surrounding forests also severely degraded.
Government Cracks Down on Illegal Mining
Beyond the company itself, Minister Buah revealed that forestry officials and security personnel may have aided or turned a blind eye to these illegal operations.
As such, he has ordered the immediate interdiction of forestry staff suspected of complicity and called for security agencies to investigate their own ranks.
“I have directed that forestry officials connected to these illegalities be immediately interdicted pending further investigations and prosecution.
“The security agencies have been notified to investigate security officers who have had dealings with Akonta Mining in this particular Forest Reserve.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has also been briefed on the matter and is expected to oversee legal proceedings going forward.
“The Attorney-General is now handling this case.
“We want to ensure that justice is done and that this company and any accomplices are held fully accountable under the law.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
Minister Buah made it clear that Akonta Mining never had a legal lease to operate within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, rendering all its activities there illegal and criminal.
“This is a warning to all large-scale mining concession holders hiding behind legal leases to fund the destruction of our forests and river bodies. We know some of your schemes – we are coming after you.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The revocation of Akonta Mining’s licenses marks one of the most aggressive moves by the Ministry in recent years and reflects the government’s renewed determination to combat illegal mining and preserve Ghana’s fragile ecosystems.
The crackdown comes at a time when Ghana’s mining sector is under increasing scrutiny, both locally and internationally, for the environmental and social costs of illegal mining.
Rivers once relied upon for drinking water and agriculture have become polluted, while forest reserves have been depleted by unregulated operations.
Ghana’s war against illegal mining has intensified in recent years, with the government facing mounting pressure to enforce stricter regulations and protect the country’s diminishing forests and water bodies.
The destruction caused by galamsey operators—both local and foreign—has raised concerns among environmentalists and policymakers alike.
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