Akonta Mining: Breakdown of the Reasons the License of Chairman Wontumi’s Company Was Revoked

YEN.com.gh outlines the main reasons Chairman Wontumi's Akonta Mining is going to be stripped of its rights to mine in Ghana

On Good Friday, a security operation resulted in 51 arrests, comprising eight Chinese nationals and 43 Ghanaians.

Several excavators, pump-action guns, vehicles, motorbikes, and other mining equipment were also seized.

At the heart of this operation were alleged links to Akonta Mining, a firm owned by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.

Boasiako has long battled allegations that he is involved in illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

These links led Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to declare that Akonta Mining would lose its right to mine in Ghana.

The minister notably broke down in tears during a press conference as he reviewed some of the evidence.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has taken over the investigation into the case for further legal action.

Breakdown of main accusations against Akonta Mining

No permit for forest entry

Despite holding a lease to mine off-reserve, Akonta Mining reportedly operated within the Samreboi enclave of the Western North Region without a valid forest entry permit, rendering its activities illegal.

Devastation of protected areas

According to the sector minister, the company’s operations devastated compartments 49 and 121 of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, as well as polluted the River Tano.

This posed grave threats to Ghana’s ecosystem.

"They continue to destroy with impunity, knowing that they are operating under the cover of the lease of Akonta Mining Company Ltd."

Bad actors leasing forest reserves

According to investigations, an Akonta Mining company representative identified as Mr Ayisi is said to have gained illegal access to forest lands.

Other individuals were also given access to mine illegally.

“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."

Security and forestry officials in bed with Akonta Mining

Buah alleged that some forestry officers and security personnel were complicit in the scheme to mine illegally for gold.

“These officers take a cut as a service charge in exchange for protection and tip-offs in the event of an impending raid."

Running a criminal syndicate

Buah described the company as having 'become a criminal syndicate', accusing it of selling illegal mining access in the Aboi Forest Reserve for as much as GH¢300,000 per concession.

Some of these deals were allegedly sealed in exchange for weekly royalties of 250 grams of gold.

"Part of the GH¢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."

How Akonta Mining responded to the claims

YEN.com.gh also reported that Akonta Mining denied engaging in illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

In a statement, the company called the allegations from the government false and misleading and stated that it was not responsible.

Akonta contended that the Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources should be held accountable.

Source: YEN.com.gh