The government has revoked the mining lease of Akonta Mining Company Ltd. following revelations of the company’s deep involvement in illegal mining activities—commonly known as galamsey—within protected forest reserves.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, April 21, 2025, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah-Kofi Buah, outlined findings from recent undercover investigations which uncovered that Akonta Mining was operating unlawfully in forest reserves despite lacking the necessary permits.
According to the Minister, although Akonta Mining holds a license to operate off-reserve, the company had encroached into the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves in the Western North Region.
The investigations further revealed that Akonta Mining had been selling access to these reserves to illegal miners for as much as GHS 300,000 per concession. In return, some of these miners allegedly paid weekly royalties in gold—up to 250 grams—to the company.
The Minister identified key individuals involved in these illicit activities, including a company liaison named Mr. Ayisi, who facilitated the deals, and two others known as “Mr. Henry” and “Shark,” who were reportedly responsible for overseeing the on-ground destruction of the forest landscape.
The revelations led to a joint operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission, which yielded significant results.
“Armed with this intel, on the eve of Good Friday (17th April 2025), an intelligence-led operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission led to the raid of six illegal mining sites linked to Akonta Mining.
The operation in Compartment 49, which began at 5 a.m. and lasted a whopping 12 hours, resulted in: • 51 arrests (8 Chinese, 39 Ghanaian men, 4 Ghanaian women)
- Seizure of about 30 excavators, 5 recovered and impounded at the operation base
- 2 pump-action guns loaded with 5 and 2 rounds of BB cartridges each, 1 single-barrel gun retrieved
- Confiscation of 2 Toyota Hilux pickups, 1 Toyota RAV4, 4 motorbikes, and a cache of mining equipment”
All suspects are currently in custody in Accra and are pending prosecution.
