Akonta Mining Limited, a company linked to New Patriotic Party (NPP) regional chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, has issued a strong denial of allegations that it engaged in illegal mining within Ghana’s protected Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, calling the government’s move to revoke its license a breach of due process and politically motivated.
The company’s rebuttal follows serious accusations from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who on Monday claimed that Akonta Mining had unlawfully encroached on the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves despite holding a lease only for operations outside forest zones.
The Minister, citing intelligence and field operations, said the company was part of a “criminal syndicate” engaged in illegal mining practices—an assertion Akonta Mining has categorically rejected.
“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 company stated, adding that the accusations were “false and misleading.”
The issue has quickly taken on a political dimension, given the company’s ownership by Chairman Wontumi, a key figure in the opposition NPP. Akonta Mining described the government’s actions as part of a “politically motivated act” aimed at scapegoating the company amid rising national frustration over illegal mining, or galamsey.
“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,” the company said.
Akonta Mining also expressed concern over the lack of prior engagement, stating it was denied the opportunity to respond before the revocation was announced. The company emphasized that it has always operated within legal bounds, and it is open to public scrutiny of all its documentation.
“We remain committed to transparency, legal compliance, and environmental responsibility. All our permits and correspondences are available for public review,” the company added.
The revocation comes amid the government’s renewed crackdown on illegal mining and environmental degradation, which has seen operations suspended, licenses revoked, and officials implicated. However, Akonta Mining’s sharp response signals a potential legal and political showdown that could test the limits of the government’s anti-galamsey campaign.
As the controversy unfolds, it underscores the tension between environmental protection, legal accountability, and political rivalry—a dynamic that continues to complicate Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.
