Government to revoke Wontumi’s Akonta Mining’s license amid galamsey claims

Government to Revoke Akonta Mining's License Amid Galamsey Claims

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has ordered the immediate revocation of Akonta Mining Company Limited's licenses. This decision follows allegations of illegal mining activities, known as galamsey.

At a press conference on April 21, Buah stated that Akonta Mining is involved in unlawful activities. These include engaging in galamsey operations and violating mining regulations. He became emotional when shown video evidence of these illegal actions.

Buah highlighted that Akonta was illegally selling concessions in the Aboi Forest. They charged up to GH¢300,000 for access to these areas. In some cases, they accepted gold royalties instead of cash.

"This company has trespassed into protected reserves," Buah said. He described them as a criminal syndicate selling access to illegal miners. These miners have caused significant damage to the River Tano and surrounding forests.

As part of their agreement with illegal miners, Akonta received weekly royalties of 250 grams of gold. This arrangement benefited Akonta’s collaborators financially.

Reports indicate that Akonta Mining is owned by Bernard Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi. He has previously denied any involvement in illegal mining activities.

In 2023, President Nana Akufo-Addo cleared Akonta Mining of previous charges against them. He stated that the company was not engaged in illegal mining anywhere in Ghana.

This exoneration occurred despite public calls for action against Boasiako and his company for mining in protected areas like the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

During a speech on January 4, 2022, Akufo-Addo reiterated that Akonta was not involved in criminal activity.

In August 2024, Boasiako challenged President John Mahama to stop his mining operations. Mahama had promised to remove miners from forest reserves during his campaign for presidency.

Boasiako claimed his activities were legal and supported by proper documentation from regulatory authorities.