The Minerals Commission has dismissed suggestions of arbitrary action, insisting that the decision to revoke the licence of Akonta Mining Limited was based on clear evidence of violations.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Andrew Tandoh, affirmed that the authorities revoked the mining permits after gathering substantial proof, which includes visual evidence implicating Akonta Mining Limited.

“The conditions and the videos we have now are more than enough to go after the perpetrators. The Attorney General has been advised to pursue these matters and ensure that those behind these offences are brought to book,” he said on Tuesday, 22 April.

“People can write letters and issue rebuttals in the newspapers; that is not something I will concern myself with. This is just the beginning. We will allow the Attorney General to take over and ensure that the masterminds behind these illicit operations are dealt with in a manner that deters others,” he emphasised in an interview with Citi FM.

He was responding to rebuttals by Akonta Mining Limited, which condemned the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, over the decisive action to halt the mining company’s operations.

At a press conference to expose the activities of Akonta Mining Limited, Mr Buah alleged that the firm was engaged in illegal mining (galamsey) and other unlawful activities.

“This company has not only trespassed into protected reserves but has become a criminal syndicate, selling access to the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners for a staggering GH₵300,000 per concession,” the minister revealed.

“Worse still, these illegal miners operate under Akonta’s protection, devastating the River Tano and surrounding forests with impunity,” Mr Buah lamented. “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.”

“In light of the overwhelming evidence, I have authorised the Minerals Commission to take steps to revoke the lease of Akonta Mining Co. Ltd with immediate effect.”

However, Akonta Mining Limited responded, accusing the government of “a clear breach of natural justice and a politically motivated act”.

“The Honourable Minister’s decision to publicly link Akonta Mining to illegal mining activities and to call for the revocation of our mining licence is not only unjust and premature, but also a clear case of seeking to hang the dog and give it a bad name,” the company stated.

The company also denied allegations of illegally selling concessions within the Aboi Forest to unauthorised miners for up to GH₵300,000, and, in some cases, in exchange for gold royalties.