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Government Revokes Mining Lease Of Wontumi’s Akonta Mining Company
n a decisive move, security forces conducted a 12-hour intelligence-led operation on Good Friday, resulting in the arrest of 51 individuals, including eight Chinese nationals. Authorities seized 30 excavators, firearms, vehicles, and mining equipment.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revealed a sophisticated illegal mining operation orchestrated by Akonta Mining Company Ltd. Despite holding a legitimate lease for off-reserve mining, the company has been implicated in the unlawful invasion of protected forest reserves in the Western North Region.
Illegal Operations in Protected Areas
Investigations uncovered that Akonta Mining had been exploiting the Aboi Forest Reserve, selling concessions for GHC 300,000 each and collecting weekly royalties of 250 grams of gold from illegal miners. The syndicate also provided protection to unauthorized miners, leading to severe environmental degradation in the Tano River and surrounding forest areas.
Minister Buah, addressing the media in Accra on April 21, exposed deep-rooted collusion between the mining syndicate, forestry officials, and security personnel who allegedly accepted bribes to facilitate these illegal activities.
Massive Raids and Arrests
In a decisive move, security forces conducted a 12-hour intelligence-led operation on Good Friday, resulting in the arrest of 51 individuals, including eight Chinese nationals. Authorities seized 30 excavators, firearms, vehicles, and mining equipment.
Following these revelations, the Minister has:
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Revoked Akonta Mining’s lease
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Ordered the interdiction of implicated forestry officials
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Initiated investigations by security agencies and the Attorney-General’s office
Police Intensify Anti-Galamsey Operations
In a parallel operation, the Ghana Police Service raided illegal mining sites in the Samreboi forest, arresting an additional 21 suspects. Combined with earlier arrests, the total number of detainees now stands at 47.
The operation, targeting the Tano Nimri forest and Tano River, led to the confiscation of 17 excavators and a bulldozer. Among those apprehended were 39 Ghanaians, eight Chinese nationals, and four Ghanaian women.
The first group of 26 suspects has been transferred to Accra for prosecution. Police have vowed to continue their crackdown, ensuring all perpetrators face the full force of the law.
A Strong Message Against Illegal Mining
The government’s aggressive stance underscores its commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources. The arrests and seizures send a clear warning to illegal miners, reinforcing the need for responsible and lawful mining practices.
This operation marks a significant step in Ghana’s fight against galamsey, with authorities determined to dismantle criminal networks and hold all accomplices accountable. The public is encouraged to support these efforts by reporting suspicious mining activities to the relevant agencies.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com