The Government of Ghana has taken decisive action by revoking the mining lease of Akonta Mining Company Ltd., following confirmed reports of the company’s deep involvement in illegal mining within protected forest reserves.
At a press briefing held on Monday, April 21, 2025, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed findings from an undercover investigation which revealed that Akonta Mining had been operating unlawfully in the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves—areas where the company had no legal permit to mine.
Despite being licensed to operate off-reserve, Akonta Mining had allegedly encroached into forest lands, selling access to illegal miners for as much as GHS 300,000 per concession. These miners reportedly paid weekly royalties in gold, sometimes up to 250 grams, directly to the company.
The investigations also named several individuals involved in the criminal enterprise:
- Mr Ayisi, said to be the main liaison facilitating illegal concessions;
- Two others, Mr Henry and Shark, reportedly supervised on-site activities that led to extensive forest destruction.
Acting on this intelligence, a joint operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission was launched on April 17, 2025. The 12-hour raid, which began at 5:00 a.m., targeted six sites and led to:
- 51 arrests (including 8 Chinese nationals and 43 Ghanaians)
- Seizure of 30 excavators, with 5 already impounded
- Recovery of firearms, including pump-action and single-barrel guns
- Confiscation of vehicles and equipment, including Toyota pickups, motorbikes, and gold-processing machines
All suspects are currently in custody in Accra awaiting prosecution.
Minister Armah-Kofi Buah stressed that the government will not tolerate any breach of environmental and mining laws. “Akonta Mining’s actions were not only unlawful but also posed a direct threat to our forest reserves and national interest,” he said.
The revocation of Akonta Mining’s lease sends a powerful signal that illegal mining operations—no matter how well-connected—will face the full force of the law.
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