Bernard Antwi-Boasiako commonly known as Chairman Wontumi and owner of Akonta Mining Limited has responded to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah revoking his mining license.
According to Chairman Wontumi, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah cannot use allegations to revoke his license.
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”.
Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has revealed he has authorized the Minerals Commission to take steps to revoke the lease of Akonta Mining Co. Ltd with immediate effect.
“In light of the overwhelming evidence, I have authorized the Minerals Commission to take steps to revoke the lease of Akonta Mining Co. Ltd with immediate effect.
I have directed that forestry officials connected to these illegalities be immediately interdicted pending further investigations and prosecution. The security agencies have been notified to investigate security officers who have had dealings with Akonta Mining in this particular Forest Reserve.
The Attorney-General has also since been briefed and has taken over the investigations for further action”, he added.
Reacting to the Lands minister’s press conference, Chairman Wontumi stated, “I challenge them that this is a lie, I haven’t given anything to anybody, so the best place to go is the court”.
“Your allegation is not true”, Chairman Wontumi said and maintained his innocence stating that “I have never worked in the forest before. I am challenging you that it is not true. Anybody claiming to have given me money should come and prove it. You can’t use allegations to revoke my license”.
Chairman Wontumi further claimed he had never been to Aboi Forest, “I have never gone there to mine. I have never been to Aboi forest. I don’t work there. I don’t have a licence there. Forestry Commission is responsible for the forest not me so they should be asked.
In 2023, the Minerals Commission and minister directed the Forestry Commission to take charge of the place. I never stepped my foot there”, he boldly stated.
