Pressure mounts on Wontumi as Coalition against Galamsey pushes gov’t to prosecute Akonta Mining

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey is urging the Mahama government to act. They want urgent prosecution of Chairman Wontumi’s Akonta Mining Ltd and guilty officials. This follows illegal mining in forest reserves and rivers.

The Coalition claims they were promised swift action. However, no arrests or prosecutions have occurred yet. Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, owns Akonta Mining Company Limited. The company has reportedly operated illegally in the Nimri Tano Forest reserve.

Calls for Wontumi's prosecution have intensified due to these operations. The Coalition stated they expected quick action against Akonta Mining's directors and negligent officials. They emphasized that no one should be above the law.

Recently, Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah announced plans to revoke Akonta Mining's lease immediately. He mentioned that interviews with residents revealed Akonta Mining uses force to enter farmlands.

On Good Friday (April 17, 2025), a police operation targeted six illegal mining sites linked to Akonta Mining. This intelligence-led operation lasted 12 hours and resulted in significant arrests and seizures.

The operation led to:
- 51 arrests (8 Chinese, 39 Ghanaian men, 4 Ghanaian women)
- Seizure of about 30 excavators
- Recovery of two pump-action guns
- Confiscation of vehicles and mining equipment

Additionally, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has frozen all accounts belonging to Wontumi. This action aligns with Section 56(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020.

The FIC directed an immediate freeze on accounts related to:
1. Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi)
2. Akonta Mining
3. Hallmark Civil Engineering Limited

This letter from the FIC outlines their actions pending further directives.