The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has directed the Minerals Commission to immediately revoke the mining license of Akonta Mining Company Limited, following disturbing revelations of illegal mining operations and environmental destruction.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, the visibly emotional minister condemned the company’s activities, which have devastated lands and polluted water bodies, particularly within protected forest reserves.
“The destruction caused by Akonta Mining has left me in tears. They have encroached on lands, devastated rivers, and operated with blatant impunity,” Mr. Buah stated.
A team of undercover investigators, deployed by the Ministry, uncovered the scale of destruction caused by the company.
According to the Minister, the investigators discovered a “well-oiled machine of real destruction” operating under the guise of legitimate mining.
He alleged that concessions were being subleased, and royalties such as fifty grams of gold were agreed upon under suspicious terms.
“The operation is a criminal enterprise, enabled by some corrupt Forestry Commission officers,” he noted. “There’s evidence that some officials accepted bribes and service charges in exchange for protection of these illegal activities.”
He added that Akonta Mining had forcibly entered lands belonging to poor farmers, destroying crops and displacing communities.
Intelligence gathered on Good Friday led to a joint operation involving the Ghana Police Service, Forestry Commission, and other security agencies to dismantle six illegal mining sites connected to the company.
“So far, 51 individuals have been arrested, including one Chinese national and 39 Ghanaians. We have seized 10 excavators, 520 changfans, 25 water pumping machines, and five locally manufactured guns,” the Minister revealed.
Some of the suspects have been transported to Accra and are in police custody pending prosecution.
Mr. Buah further directed the Forestry Commission to collaborate with the Ghana Police Service and other security forces to maintain operations in the area and prevent any resurgence of illegal mining. He emphasized that Akonta Mining must not resume operations in any capacity until investigations are completed.
“The Attorney General has been briefed to prepare for prosecutions, and I want to assure Ghanaians that the government, under the NDC, will stop at nothing to end this menace,” he declared.
The Minister reaffirmed that illegal mining in protected forest reserves constitutes a criminal offense and vowed to hold all perpetrators accountable, including any complicit public officials.
Watch the Press Briefing the lands Minister …
Source: www.kumasimail.com
