By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, April 22, GNA – Akonta Mining Company Limited, a mining firm owned by Mr. Bernard Anwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has denied any wrongdoing in both the Tano Nimiri and Aboi Forest Reserves in the Western North Region.
The company has also described allegations levelled against the company by Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, the Minister of Land and Natural Resources at a press conference on Monday as unjust, premature and a clear case of seeking to hang the dog and give it a bad name.
A statement issued by the company and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) explained that the company was a lawfully registered large-scale company, operating under valid leases and permits granted by the Minerals Commission.
It said Akonta Mining had no mining lease, mineral right or permit to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, disclosing that the company’s application for access to the reserve was never granted.
“Contrary to the narrative being pushed, we are not mining – and have never mined in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve,” the statement emphasised.
Mr. Buah on Monday announced at a press conference in Accra that he had directed the Mineral Commission to revoke leases of Akonta Mining with immediate effect for engaging in illegal activities in the two forest reserves.
He said investigations had revealed that Akonta Mining had been leasing part of the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners for a fee of GHC 300,000.00 per concession.
The Minister further alleged that as part of the agreement between Akonta Mining and the illegal miners, the company also received weekly royalties of 250 grams of gold, an allegation Akonta Mining also refuted in its statement.
It said those allegations were entirely false, defamatory and mischievous, challenging anyone with evidence to produce it.
“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,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the decision by the Minister to publicly accuse the company and call for the revocation of its license without any investigation or hearing is not just unfair but also a clear breach of natural justice and a politically motivated act.
It concluded by assuring the Ghanaian public that Akonta Mining had nothing to hide and remained committed to transparency, legal compliance, and environmental responsibility.
GNA
KOM/CA