Report: Gov’t Clamps Down On Akonta Mining In Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve

Pictures published by JoyNews indicate that the government has clamped down on the operations of Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region.

The pictures show makeshift structures and some machineries of the mining company destroyed and others ablaze.

It also portrayed the place as deserted.

According to the media outlet, it happened on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, under the order of the government.

A deputy Minister for Lands, Benito Owusu Bio, is reported to have said this week that the government will “deal” with anyone who illegally entered the country’s forest reserve irrespective of their position.

“No matter who you are, we don’t care! If you enter the forest reserves we will deal with you”, he is quoted to have told miners.

Meanwhile, the Minister For Lands and Natural Resource, Samuel Abu Jinapor who has on several occasions reiterated the government’s commitment to fighting against illegal mining in the country, is expected to hold a press conference today.

It will be recalled that the Ministry of Lands declared the activities of Akonta Mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest reserve illegal in a press statement dated September 30, 2022.

The Ministry noted that the company which is owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has a permit to operate a mining lease in some parts of Samreboi which falls outside the forest reserve.

However, it said the company has no mineral rights over the Tano Nimiri Forest reserve where it operated.

It added that although the company has applied for a mining lease in the Tano Nimiri forest reserve, the request has not been granted or otherwise “determined”.

“Accordingly, the alleged activity being undertaken by the company in the forest is illegal”, the Ministry declared.

It further charged the Forestry Commission to resist the operation of the company in the forest and take the necessary action against persons found culpable.

Following this, the owner of the company came out to assert his company is committing no offence in its activities.

He took to his television station to say his company has legal documents backing its operation and further challenged the Minister and his stakeholders to go ahead with any legal process against him.

Later, he circulated on social media the permits he possesses to undertake his operations.

In reaction to this, the Minerals Commission issued a press statement to the effect that the mining company has two leases in the Samreboi area.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Akonta Mining Limited has two mining leases in the Sareboi area granted following a Reconnaissance Licence granted on 15th June 2011 and a Prospecting Licence granted on 31st December 2012”.

These licences, the Commission furthered, are over an area in Samreboi and an area in Abokoase.

It, however, affirmed that none of these leases falls within the forest reserve in question.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini