The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah-Kofi Buah, has ordered the revocation of the mining lease of Akonta Mining Company Ltd. following revelations of the company’s deep involvement in illegal mining activities.
The company has been cited for engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in protected forest reserves.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, April 21, 2025, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed that the company was operating unlawfully in forest reserves despite lacking the necessary permits.
He explained that although Akonta Mining holds a licence to operate off-reserve, the company had encroached into the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves in the Western North Region.
The minister further disclosed that Akonta Mining had been selling access to these reserves to illegal miners for as much as GHS 300,000 per concession.
The company is said to be receiving weekly paid royalties in gold—up to 250 grams—from the illegal miners.
It has emerged from the investigation that there were several others involved in the illegal activities, including a company liaison named Mr Ayisi, who allegedly facilitated the deals, and two others known as “Mr Henry” and “Shark”.
These individuals, according to the probe, are allegedly responsible for overseeing the on-ground destruction of the forest landscape.
A joint operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission was conducted, following which 51 persons were arrested, including foreigners.
The suspects are currently in custody assisting the police with their investigation.
“Armed with this intel, on the eve of Good Friday (17th April 2025), an intelligence-led operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission led to the raid of six illegal mining sites linked to Akonta Mining.
The operation in Compartment 49, which began at 5 a.m. and lasted a whopping 12 hours, resulted in: • 51 arrests (8 Chinese, 39 Ghanaian men, 4 Ghanaian women)
- Seizure of about 30 excavators, 5 recovered and impounded at the operation base
- 2 pump-action guns loaded with 5 and 2 rounds of BB cartridges each, 1 single-barrel gun retrieved
- Confiscation of 2 Toyota Hilux pickups, 1 Toyota RAV4, 4 motorbikes, and a cache of mining equipment”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
