The reasons government revoked the license of Chairman Wontumi's mining company

Akonta Mining License Revoked: Key Reasons Explained

On Good Friday, a security operation led to 51 arrests. This included eight Chinese nationals and 43 Ghanaians. Authorities also seized excavators, guns, vehicles, and other mining equipment.

Chairman Wontumi's Akonta Mining is losing its mining rights in Ghana. The company is owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi. He has faced allegations of involvement in illegal mining, or galamsey.

These allegations prompted Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to announce the revocation of Akonta Mining's license. The Attorney-General, Dominic Ayine, is now investigating the case for further legal action.

Main Accusations Against Akonta Mining

Buah described Akonta Mining as a "criminal syndicate." The company allegedly sold illegal mining access in the Aboi Forest Reserve for up to GH¢300,000 per concession. Some deals reportedly included weekly royalties of 250 grams of gold.

Despite having a lease to mine off-reserve, Akonta Mining operated illegally within the Samreboi enclave. They lacked a valid forest entry permit for their activities.

The company's operations have devastated parts of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve and polluted the River Tano. This poses serious threats to Ghana’s ecosystem.

Investigations revealed that an Akonta representative named Mr. Ayisi gained illegal access to forest lands. Other individuals were also allowed to mine illegally.

Concessions were subleased to people like “Mr. Henry” and “Shark.” These individuals oversaw damage in the Aboi Forest Reserve and along the Tano River.

Buah indicated that some forestry officers and security personnel were complicit in these illegal activities. They allegedly received payments for protection and tips about potential raids on mining sites.