Structures at Akonta Mining Limited’s mining site at Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, in the Western Region, have been razed down by officers of the Forestry Commission.
The metal-roofed wooden structures were burned down, and pieces of heavy equipment belonging to the company were also evacuated, on Wednesday, October 12, 2022.
These actions, according to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, are to enforce laws that prohibit mining in Forest Reserves.
Reports of alleged illicit activities by Akonta Mining emerged on September 29, 2022, after a confrontation between the youth of Samreboi and personnel of the company.
The firm which belongs to Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been accused of engaging in illegal mining.
Following this, the Ministry of Lands and Resources ordered the company to halt all of its operations as it “has no mineral right to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve” although it has applied for a mining lease to undertake mining operations, which is yet to be determined by the Lands Minister.
Then, in an effort to demonstrate their determination to stop illegal mining, representatives of the Forestry Commission went to the location to halt all Akonta mining activities.
“Thankfully and happily, the report I have received is that the Forestry Commission has been able to clear the forest reserve of any activities. Now, the forest reserve is safeguarded so that people cannot go in any more and so is it for other forest reserves,” he told the media on Thursday, October 13, 2022. The Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, according to the minister, is currently being safeguarded by the Forestry Commission.
However, Akonta Mining Limited has a mining lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, outside the Forest Reserve in question.
The allegation levelled against Chairman Wontumi’s firm has led many Ghanaians, particularly, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), calling on the government to ensure prominent personalities and government officials, as well as traditional authorities engaged in galamsey are also brought to book, just as the average citizen.
Lands Minister Samuel Jinapor has pledged to go after all persons involved in illegal mining activities in the country, including the “big men and women.”
“Nobody will be shielded. We are going to go about without fear or favour, and the prosecution of Aisha Huang should be a clear testimony and should send a clear signal to those who are determined to carry on with this menace. I should call that way so that we will come after them and come after them ruthlessly,” he warned. Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo is engaging the local government on measures to put in place to ensure the issue of galamsey becomes a thing of the past. In April 2021, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources directed all persons and companies engaged in reconnaissance and/or prospecting in Forest Reserves, with or without legal authorization, to suspend such activities until further notice.
The Minerals Commission was directed not to accept, process and/or recommend the grant, including renewal and/or extension of reconnaissance and prospecting licences in Forest Reserves.
Source: The Independent Ghana