The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, has issued a directive to the Minerals Commission to immediately revoke the license of Ghanaian mining firm Akonta Mining for engaging in acts that not only flout the country’s mining regulations but are also criminal.
Speaking at an emergency press conference on Monday, April 21, 2025, Hon. Armah-Buah described Akonta Mining as a ‘criminal syndicate’ that has allegedly sold portions of the Tano Nimri Forest to illegal miners, contrary to the country’s mining laws.
“I have authorized the Minerals Commission to take steps to revoke the lease of Akonta Mining Co. Ltd with immediate effect,” he said.
The Minister gave a heart-wrenching and alarming breakdown of how personnel of the Forestry Commission connived with officials of Akonta Mining to undertake the supposedly criminal enterprise.
“We gathered a team of investigators to go undercover to make enquiries about the details of this operation. Our undercover team uncovered a well-oiled machinery of destruction: One Mr. Ayisi (a representative of Akonta Mining) is the liaison on these dealings – he serves as the gatekeeper, negotiating fees and granting illegal access.
“The concessions are then subleased to individuals like one ‘Mr. Henry’ and another individual identified as ‘Shark’ who are to oversee the devastation of the Aboi Forest Reserve and the Tano River.
“As part of the agreement between Akonta Mining and the illegal miners, weekly royalties of 250 grams of gold are to be paid to the company, lining the pockets of Akonta’s collaborators,” he recounted.
Honorable Armah-Kofi Buah announced further actions on the disheartening development, noting that the officials of the Forestry Commission behind the illegal actions of Akonta have been interdicted pending investigations.
The Attorney-General has also been served with notice of the criminal conduct of the persons involved for prosecution and further action.
“I have directed that forestry officials connected to these illegalities be immediately interdicted pending further investigations and prosecution. The security agencies have been notified to investigate security officers who have had dealings with Akonta Mining in this particular Forest Reserve.
“The Attorney-General has also since been briefed and has taken over the investigations for further action. Akonta Mining does not have a lease to mine in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, and their mining activities in the forest are illegal and criminal. And that, the Mahama government will stop at nothing to bring the company to book,” he said.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah reiterated the government’s commitment to dealing with the illegal mining menace, warning that the government will deal decisively with anyone found to have flouted the country’s mining laws.
