Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revoked the mining lease of Akonta Mining Company Ltd, accusing it of operating as a “well-organised criminal syndicate” involved in illegal mining activities within protected forest reserves.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, the Minister revealed that although Akonta Mining had been legally authorised to operate outside protected zones, the company had unlawfully encroached on the Aboi Forest Reserve in the Samreboi enclave of the Western North Region.
According to the Minister, the company sold illegal access to the reserve at GHC 300,000 per concession and collected weekly royalties in gold—approximately 250 grams—from unauthorised miners. The group is also alleged to have offered protection to illegal miners who caused extensive environmental damage, including pollution of the Tano River.
A 12-hour intelligence-led operation conducted on Good Friday led to the arrest of 51 individuals, including eight Chinese nationals. Authorities also seized 30 excavators, weapons, vehicles, and other mining equipment. Investigations have since been launched, and the Minister has ordered the interdiction of forestry officials alleged to have accepted bribes to shield the illegal operations.
In a related crackdown, the Ghana Police Service arrested 21 additional suspects at an illegal mining site in the Tano Nimri forest. The operation, which also took place along the Tano River, resulted in the confiscation of 17 excavators and one bulldozer. Of those detained, 39 are Ghanaians—including four women—and eight are Chinese nationals.
The first group of 26 suspects has been transported to Accra to face prosecution. Police say efforts are ongoing to track down more individuals linked to the operation.
The government’s intensified actions against illegal mining—commonly known as “galamsey”—come amid mounting concerns over environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity in Ghana’s forest reserves.
Authorities hope the arrests and equipment seizures will serve as a deterrent and encourage more responsible mining practices across the country.
Source:TheDotNews