The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has revealed Chairman Wontumi’s Akonta Mining allegedly sold Aboi Forest Reserve to galamseyers for GH¢300,000 per concession.
Speaking in a press conference the Lands Minister and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah stated, “In August 2022, the Forestry Commission, with the assistance of the Ghana Police, made some arrests of persons associated with Akonta Mining, encroaching on the forest reserves, specifically compartment 161. The docket was supposedly transferred to Accra for further action, and yet nothing was heard of the case.
This company has not only trespassed into protected reserves but has become a criminal syndicate, selling access of the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners for a staggering GHC 300,000 per concession. Worse, these illegal miners operate under Akonta’s protection, devastating the River Tano and surrounding forests with impunity. They have encroached compartments 49 and 121 of the Tano Nimri forest reserve”.
He added, “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”.
The land minister further revealed the active collusion and connivance of some forestry officers and some security personnel.
He added, “Another heartbreaking revelation is that this criminal enterprise thrives because of the active collusion and connivance of some forestry officers and some security personnel. Here is how it works – Part of the GHC 300,000 fee goes to Akonta Mining, a portion goes to Mr Henry, Shark, and their cohorts, and another portion goes to the forestry and security officials, according to investigators. These officers take a cut as a service charge in exchange for protection and tip-offs in the event of an impending raid.
There is no control over the activities of these illegal miners whatsoever. They continue to destroy with impunity, knowing that they are operating under the cover of the lease of Akonta Mining Company Ltd.
Some interviews conducted with a few residents indicate that the modus operandi of Akonta Mining is to use force to enter and destroy even the farmlands and produce of poor farmers in the area”.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has also revoked the license of Akonta Mining Limited.
Watch the video below:
The government has instructed the Minerals Commission to cancel Chairman Wontumi’s Akonta Mining’s license following allegations that the company sold parts of the Tano Nimri Forest to illegal miners at GH¢350,000 per concession. pic.twitter.com/s6T89Sl2yB
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) April 21, 2025
