ElvisAnokyenews Latest News Portal
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Ellembele, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has directed the Minerals Commission to revoke the lease of Akonta Mining Company with immediate effect, citing their involvement in illegal mining (galamsey) and multiple regulatory breaches.
The Minister made the announcement during a press conference on Monday, April 21, stating that the decision followed damning reports of unlawful activities by the company, particularly within forest reserves and on the lands of local farmers.
He revealed that based on credible intelligence, a coordinated operation was carried out on the eve of Good Friday, April 17, by the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission. The operation targeted six illegal mining sites linked to Akonta Mining.
In a damning revelation, Mr Buah stated that the company has also been illegally selling concessions within the Aboi Forest to unauthorised miners for up to GH₵300,000, and in some cases, in exchange for gold royalties.
“Some interviews conducted with a few of the residents indicate that the modus operandi of Akonta Mine is to use force to enter and destroy even the farmlands and produce of poor farmers in the area.
“Armed with this intelligence on the eve of Good Friday 17th of April, an intelligence-led operation by the Ghana Police Force and the Forestry Commission led to the raid of six illegal mining sites linked to Akonta Mine. He said
Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah disclosed that the crackdown, which began in Compartment 19 at 5 a.m., lasted 12 hours on the first day and has continued over the past three days.
“This operation is still ongoing because the officers are still conducting operations and that operation will continue in the coming weeks. The operation in compartment 19, which began at 5 a.m. on that day, lasted for a whopping 12 hours and the last three days has also continued. So far, 51 arrests have been made, eight Chinese national, 39 Ghanaian, and four women.
“So far we have seized about 30 excavators. Five have been required and pounded at the operation base. Two pump-punch guns loaded with five and two rounds of BP cartridges each. One single barrel gun retrieved. We have confiscated two Toyota Helos pickups, one Toyota RAV4, four motorbikes, and a cache of mining equipment. All suspects have been transported to Accra and in the custody of the Ghana Police Service pending prosecution.” He explained
The Minister stated that he has directed the immediate revocation of all mining licences issued to Akonta Mining Company. The Lands Minister added that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, has also been briefed and has taken over the investigations for further action. He further stated that officials of the Forestry Commission found to be connected to the illegalities would be interdicted.
“In light of the overwhelming evidence, I have authorized the Minerals Commission to immediately take steps to revoke the Lease of Akonta Mining with immediate effect. I have directed that the Forestry Commission officials connected to these illegalities be immediately interdicted pending further investigations and prosecution. Security agencies have been notified to investigate security officers who have had dealings with Akonta Mining in this particular forest reserve. The attorney general has also been briefed and has taken over the investigation for further action..
Source: Elvisanokyenews.net
