The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced the immediate revocation of all mining licences held by Akonta Mining Company Limited following what he described as "overwhelming evidence" of illegal mining and criminal syndication.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, April 21, 2025, the Minister disclosed that Akonta Mining, though legally registered and granted a lease to mine off-reserve, has been involved in egregious breaches of mining regulations, including operating illegally in protected forest reserves.

“This company has not only trespassed into protected reserves but has become a criminal syndicate, selling access to the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners for a staggering GH?300,000 per concession,” Mr Buah revealed. “Worse, these illegal miners operate under Akonta’s protection, devastating the River Tano and surrounding forests with impunity.”

According to the Minister, an undercover investigation uncovered a systematic illegal operation led by Akonta Mining, with company representatives allegedly negotiating illegal sub-leases. In exchange, weekly royalties of up to 250 grams of gold were reportedly paid back to Akonta by the illegal miners.

The findings also implicated forestry officers and security personnel in a widespread scheme that enabled the mining activities to continue unhindered. “Part of the GH?300,000 fee goes to Akonta Mining, a portion goes to individuals identified as Mr Henry and ‘Shark,’ and another portion to some forestry and security officials who provide protection and tip-offs,” Mr Buah added.

He sad the investigation further revealed that Akonta Mining had encroached compartments 49 and 121 of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, despite having no legal lease or entry permit to operate there.

An intelligence-led operation by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission on the eve of Good Friday (April 17) led to the raid of six illegal sites linked to the company. The 12-hour operation in Compartment 49 resulted in the arrest of 51 individuals — including eight Chinese nationals — and the seizure of heavy equipment and vehicles.

Recovered items included 30 excavators (five impounded), two pump-action guns, one single-barrel gun, two Toyota Hilux pickups, a Toyota RAV4, four motorbikes, and assorted mining equipment. All suspects have been transported to Accra and are currently in custody pending prosecution.

The Minister announced that he has authorised the Minerals Commission to revoke Akonta Mining’s lease immediately and directed that all implicated forestry officials be interdicted while further investigations proceed.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, has since been briefed and has taken over the investigations.

“This is a warning to all large-scale mining concession holders hiding behind legal leases to fund the destruction of our forests and river bodies. We know some of your schemes — we are coming after you,” Mr Buah cautioned.

He added that the government remains committed to eradicating galamsey, describing it as an “environmental sin against humanity and against God.”

“To the youth engaged in illegal mining: there is a better way. We stand ready to support you with alternatives. But to those who persist in defiance, the state will act without mercy,” he warned.

The Minister concluded with a call for public vigilance and support: “Let me be clear: We will not stop until galamsey is completely uprooted. We will not stop until our waters run blue. We will not stop until our forests are turned green. We will not stop until every financier, every enabler — the real architects of this destruction — faces the full rigours of the law.”