Akonta Mining Company Limited is owned by Chairman Wontumi

The management of Akonta Mining Company Limited has issued a response to statements made by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, regarding the revocation of the company’s licence due to alleged illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve.

In a statement released on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the management of the company strongly refuted the allegations, firmly asserting that Akonta Mining Company Limited has never conducted any mining operations within the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve.

The company clarified that its efforts to obtain access to the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve — through formal applications submitted to the Minerals Commission and the Forestry Commission in 2022, were unsuccessful, as it was neither granted access nor issued entry permits to conduct any mining activities in the area.

“In 2022, the Minerals Commission clearly stated in an official press release that: ‘Akonta Mining Limited has NO mining lease, mineral right, and/or permit to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.’

“Our application for access to the forest reserve was never granted. Official letters from both the Minerals Commission and the Forestry Commission, dated 7th and 8th September 2022, confirm that no entry permit was issued to Akonta Mining for that forest area. Contrary to the narrative being pushed, we are not mining — and have never mined — in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve,” the statement stated.

Akonta Mining Company Limited further emphasised its status as a duly registered entity, stating that all its operations are carried out under valid permits and leases issued by the Minerals Commission.

The company specified that its legally granted concessions are located at Samreboi and Abokoase.

“Akonta Mining is a lawfully registered large-scale mining company, operating under valid leases and permits granted by the Minerals Commission. Our concessions are located in Samreboi and Abokoase — and not in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve,” it continued.

However, the company described the minister’s decision to revoke its licence as “a clear breach of natural justice and a politically motivated act.”

The company also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, adherence to legal regulations, and its continued stance against engaging in any unlawful activities.

Akonta Mining Company Limited stated that it is willing to make its documents, permits, and other relevant records available for public scrutiny, and expressed its readiness to cooperate fully with any investigations.

The company’s statement follows a press briefing held on April 21, 2025, by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, in which he accused Akonta Mining — owned by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi — of unlawfully operating within forest reserves without the requisite permits.

The minister acknowledged that while the company possesses a valid licence to operate outside forest reserves, it had allegedly encroached upon the Aboi and Tano Nimri Forest Reserves in the Western North Region.

Read the full statement below:

RE: FALSE ACCUSATIONS AND POLITICAL TARGETING OF AKONTA MINING BY HON. EMMANUEL ARMAH-KOFI BUAH

The Management of Akonta Mining Company Limited has noted with grave concern the reckless and baseless accusations made against our company by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, during a recent press conference.

The Honourable Minister’s decision to publicly link Akonta Mining to illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, and to call for the revocation of our mining license, is not only unjust and premature, but also a clear case of seeking to hang the dog and give it a bad name.

Let it be stated on record and without ambiguity:
1. Akonta Mining is a lawfully registered large-scale mining company, operating under valid leases and permits granted by the Minerals Commission. Our concessions are located in Samreboi and Abokoase — and not in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

2. In 2022, the Minerals Commission clearly stated in an official press release that:
“Akonta Mining Limited has NO mining lease, mineral right, and/or permit to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.”

3. Our application for access to the forest reserve was never granted. Official letters from both the Minerals Commission and the Forestry Commission, dated 7th and 8th September 2022, confirm that no entry permit was issued to Akonta Mining for that forest area.

4. Contrary to the narrative being pushed, we are not mining — and have never mined — in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

5. In fact, our commitment to environmental responsibility is well documented. In a letter dated 29th April 2021, addressed to the Chairman of the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC), Akonta Mining formally expressed our gratitude for the removal of illegal miners from our concession and outlined our intent to embark on a six-month backfilling and reclamation exercise to close the dangerous pits left behind by illegal miners — even before commencing full-scale operations.

“Although this is estimated to cost the company hugely, we consider it as imperative to ensure a responsible mining project that will protect both the community and the environment,” the letter stated.

6. As part of that commitment, over 18,000 coconut trees have already been planted, with 32,000 more expected to be planted as part of a comprehensive reclamation effort.

7. Allegations that we took GHC350,000 from illegal miners to allow access to our concession are entirely false, defamatory, and mischievous. We challenge anyone making this claim to provide evidence.

8. The suggestion that one Mr. Ayisi is a liaison between Akonta Mining and illegal mining syndicates is also completely false. We vehemently deny any knowledge or association with this individual. He does not represent, work for, or act on behalf of Akonta Mining in any capacity.

9. 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. It is deeply concerning that state institutions are shifting blame onto a private company that has never been granted access to the said forest area.

10. 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.

We wish to assure the Ghanaian public that Akonta Mining has nothing to hide. We remain committed to transparency, legal compliance, and environmental responsibility. All our documents, permits, and official correspondences are available for public scrutiny.

Even a simple Google Earth review will reveal the geographical disconnect between our concessions and the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve — making the claims against us not only scandalous but also factually indefensible.

Akonta Mining will cooperate with any legitimate investigation and take all necessary legal steps to defend its reputation.

We ask for fairness. We demand justice. And we stand by the truth.

SIGNED: MANAGEMENT
AKONTA MINING COMPANY LIMITED
Date: 4/22/25

MAG/AE

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