Akonta Mining Responds to Government After Plan to Revoke License: “We Are Not Responsible”

• Akonta Mining Limited has responded to allegations that it is engaged in illegal mining activities on concessions
• The company denied the claims, saying it was not responsible for the activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve
• On April 21, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources ordered the revocation of the company's mining permits

Akonta Mining Limited has denied allegations of engaging in illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

This follows the order by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to revoke the license of the company, notably owned by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.

In a statement, Akonta Mining called the allegations from the government false and misleading.

“We are not responsible for the activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. That responsibility lies solely with the Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources."

“The decision by the Minister to publicly accuse us and call for the revocation of our license without any investigation or hearing is not just unfair - it is a clear breach of natural justice and a politically motivated act.”

Nonetheless, the company said it would cooperate with the state during investigations.

It stated that it had nothing to hide and was committed to transparency and legal compliance.

"All our documents, permits, and official correspondence are available for public scrutiny."

Earlier defiance from Chairman Wontumi

Akonta Mining has long been linked to illegal mining activities, especially in forest reserves.

When President John Mahama pledged to end mining in forest reserves during his victorious 2024 election campaign, Boasiako vowed to resist any such efforts.

At the time, he said his mining activities in the reserve were legal and backed by requisite documentation and authorisation from the authorities.

Despite Boasiako's claims, numerous reports have exposed harmful mining practices by Akonta Mining, especially in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

Affected communities, like Samreboi, have also engaged in protests against Akonta Mining and its operations.

In the recent government announcement by the government about revoking Akonta Mining's license, Buah, for example, said the company had reportedly been illegally selling concessions within the Aboi Forest to unauthorised miners for up to GH¢300,000, and in some cases, in exchange for gold royalties.

Past galamsey claims against Akonta mining

In 2022, YEN.com.gh reported that the Media Coalition Against Galamsey had demanded the arrest and prosecution of Boasiako.

The group maintained that NPP’s Ashanti regional Chairman was guilty of illegal mining offences in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

It said there was evidence that Akonta Mining violated the Minerals and Mining Act by mining closely along the banks of the Tano River.

The coalition also accused the previous Nana Akufo-Addo government of not showing a commitment to truly fight illegal mining.

President Akufo-Addo notably defended Boasiako and Akonta Mining at the time. The NPP executive also denied the claims against him.

Source: YEN.com.gh