Akonta Mining Company Ltd. has issued a sharp rebuttal to recent allegations of illegal mining activity, accusing Ghana’s Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah of levying what the company calls “reckless and baseless” claims.

In a statement released over the weekend, the company pushed back against accusations that it had operated unlawfully in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, characterizing the minister’s remarks as politically motivated and “a clear breach of natural justice.”

“The Honourable Minister’s decision to publicly link Akonta Mining to illegal operations and to recommend the revocation of our license is not only unjust and premature, but also a deliberate attempt to damage our reputation,” the company said.

Akonta Mining maintains that it holds valid leases and permits from the country’s Minerals Commission and conducts its operations legally in Samreboi and Abokoase—outside the contested forest reserve. It further stated that its 2022 request for access to the Tano Nimiri area was formally denied by both the Minerals and Forestry Commissions.

The company also dismissed separate allegations that it accepted GH¢350,000 from illegal miners, calling them “entirely false, defamatory, and mischievous,” and challenged any accusers to provide evidence.

“We categorically deny any connection to Mr. Ayisi, who has been falsely associated with our operations,” the company added.

As part of its defense, Akonta Mining highlighted ongoing environmental reclamation initiatives, including the planting of more than 18,000 coconut trees and plans to introduce an additional 32,000 as part of its commitment to sustainable mining practices.

Though the company says the effort comes at significant cost, it stressed the importance of safeguarding local ecosystems and maintaining strong community relations.

Akonta concluded by expressing a willingness to cooperate with any lawful investigation and urged both the public and government authorities to adhere to principles of fairness and due process.

The controversy comes amid rising political and public scrutiny over illegal mining—known locally as “galamsey”—which has led to widespread environmental degradation and strained regulatory oversight in Ghana’s gold-rich regions.

Source:TheDotNews