Govt Drops the Hammer on Akonta Mining in Explosive Galamsey Crackdown
After a series of undercover investigations, Akonta Mining’s unlawful operations in protected forest reserves are brought to light
- Company exposed for illegal mining in protected forest reserves despite holding an off-reserve permit
- Joint operation by police and Forestry Commission leads to 51 arrests and the seizure of 30 excavators and firearms
- Akonta Mining sold access to forest reserves for up to GHS 300,000
The government has officially revoked the mining lease of Akonta Mining Company Ltd. after uncovering the company’s deep-rooted involvement in illegal mining—popularly known as galamsey—inside protected forest reserves.
At a press briefing in Accra on Monday, April 21, 2025, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah-Kofi Buah, revealed damning findings from recent undercover investigations. These showed that despite lacking permits, Akonta Mining was actively operating in the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves in the Western North Region—areas designated as no-go zones for mining.
While the company holds a legitimate license for off-reserve operations, it blatantly defied regulations by encroaching on protected lands. Even more shocking, the company was selling access to these forest reserves to illegal miners, charging as much as GHS 300,000 per concession. In a gold-for-access scheme, miners allegedly paid weekly royalties of up to 250 grams of gold to the company.
Key figures behind this illicit empire include a company liaison known as Mr. Ayisi, along with individuals referred to as “Mr. Henry” and “Shark,” who were reportedly managing operations on the ground and facilitating forest destruction.
These revelations triggered a swift response. On the eve of Good Friday (April 17, 2025), a joint intelligence-led operation involving the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission raided six illegal mining sites linked to Akonta Mining.
The 12-hour operation at Compartment 49 delivered major results:
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51 arrests: including 8 Chinese nationals, 39 Ghanaian men, and 4 Ghanaian women
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30 excavators seized, with 5 already impounded at the base
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3 firearms retrieved: 2 pump-action guns and 1 single-barrel
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Confiscation of vehicles and equipment: 2 Toyota Hilux pickups, 1 Toyota RAV4, 4 motorbikes, and assorted mining gear
All suspects are currently in custody in Accra, awaiting prosecution as the government ramps up its war on illegal mining.
Minister Buah assured the public that no individual or company—no matter how well-connected—will be spared in the fight to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
