Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and owner of Akonta Mining Limited, has announced plans to sue Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah over the revocation of his company’s mining license. The minister revoked the license on April 21, 2025, citing Akonta Mining’s involvement in illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
Wontumi vehemently denies these allegations, stating that his company hasn’t operated in the forest reserve since 2023 when its license was suspended under the previous administration. He claims the minister’s accusations are false and damaging to his reputation and business. “We are not operating in that area. Everything the minister said is false,” Wontumi stated.
The controversy began when the minister announced the revocation of Akonta Mining’s licenses, alleging the company’s involvement in illegal mining activities. Wontumi responded by accusing the minister of orchestrating a deliberate attempt to frame Akonta Mining. He claims security personnel were instructed to bring other people’s excavators and dump them on Akonta Mining’s site to implicate them falsely. “He instructed security personnel to bring other people’s excavators and dump them on our site. We had only two bulldozers and excavators that were being used to reclaim the land. None of the machines involved in illegal mining belong to us,” Wontumi claimed.
The minister, however, maintains that the revocation was necessary due to the company’s environmental destruction and illegal activities. According to the minister, Akonta Mining sold concessions to illegal miners for GH¢300,000 per concession and received weekly gold royalties. A joint operation by the Ghana Police Service and Forestry Commission led to the arrest of 51 individuals, including 8 Chinese nationals, and the seizure of 30 excavators and firearms.
This dispute highlights the ongoing challenges in Ghana’s mining sector, particularly regarding environmental protection and accountability. The government’s efforts to crack down on illegal mining have been met with resistance from some powerful individuals, including Chairman Wontumi. The outcome of this legal battle will likely have significant implications for Ghana’s natural resource governance.
The case has sparked intense public interest, with many reacting vigorously to the developments. As the legal battle unfolds, observers will be watching closely to see how the courts navigate the complex issues surrounding mining regulations and environmental protection. The controversy surrounding Akonta Mining has added a new layer of tension to the national debate over illegal mining, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the regulation of Ghana’s mining sector.
Story by: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku
