Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Kofi Armah has disclosed that Akonta Mining has not only trespassed into protected reserves but has become a criminal syndicate, selling access of the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners for a staggering GHC 300,000 per concession.
He says these illegal miners operate under Akonta’s protection, devastating the River Tano and surrounding forests with impunity.
Emmanuel Armah Kofi made this known when he addressed the press on Monday, April 21, 2025
The Minister revealed that “they have encroached on compartments 49 and 121 of the Tano Nimri forest reserve”.
Other revelations from the Minister include “One Mr. Ayisi (a representative of Akonta Mining) is the liaison on these dealings – he serves as the gatekeeper, negotiating fees and granting illegal access.
The concessions are then subleased to individuals like one “Mr. Henry” and another individual identified as “Shark” who are to oversee the devastation of the Aboi Forest Reserve and the Tano River.
As part of the agreement between Akonta Mining and the illegal miners, weekly royalties of 250 grams of gold are to be paid to the company, lining the pockets of Akonta’s collaborators.
Another heartbreaking revelation is that this criminal enterprise thrives because of the active collusion and connivance of some forestry officers and some security personnel. Here is how it works – Part of the GHC 300,000 fee goes to Akonta Mining, a portion goes to Mr. Henry, Shark, and their cohorts, and another portion goes to the forestry and security officials, according to investigators. These officers take a cut as a service charge in exchange for protection and tip-offs in the event of an impending raid”.
