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Akonta Mining Company Limited has launched a legal battle against the Minerals Commission and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, filing a defamation lawsuit on April 24, 2025, in the High Court of Justice in Accra. The company is demanding GH¢20 million in damages, alleging that statements made by the Minister accusing Akonta of illegal mining activities have caused significant reputational harm.
According to court documents shared on X by Ghana Crimes Ltd. (@GhanaCrimes), Akonta Mining claims that Minister Buah’s remarks during a press conference on April 22, 2025, were unfounded and damaging.
The Minister had accused the company of engaging in illegal mining, or “galamsey,” in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve without proper permits. Akonta Mining refutes these allegations, asserting that it has complied with all regulatory requirements, including paying $301,000 in mineral rights fees as mandated by the Minerals Commission.
The lawsuit names the Minerals Commission as the first defendant and Minister Buah as the second defendant. Akonta Mining is not only seeking financial compensation but also a public apology and retraction of the statements, to be published in prominent Ghanaian media outlets such as the Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, and on GTV.
Additionally, the company is requesting a perpetual injunction to prevent the defendants from making further defamatory statements, as well as coverage of legal costs and expenses incurred during the lawsuit.
A History of Controversy
Akonta Mining, owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Region Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has faced scrutiny in the past. A report by ISS Africa highlighted that the company was previously ordered to cease operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve by former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor due to mining without a lease, mineral rights, or permit. However, no prosecution followed, with analysts suggesting that enforcing anti-galamsey laws could impact the ruling party’s electoral prospects.
Illegal mining has long been a pressing issue in Ghana, contributing to severe environmental degradation. According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Environmental Management, galamsey activities have led to the deforestation of over 4,700 hectares in Ghana’s Western Region since 2010. The Ghana Water Company Limited recently warned of potential water scarcity by 2030 if galamsey is not curbed, citing water turbidity levels reaching 14,000 NTU—far above the 2,000 NTU threshold for adequate treatment.
Legal and Environmental Implications
The lawsuit underscores the tension between Ghana’s mining regulations and the enforcement of anti-galamsey measures. Under Ghanaian mining law, as outlined in a 2024 report by ICLG, mineral rights for small-scale mining are reserved for Ghanaian citizens over 18 years old, while non-citizens must invest at least $10 million to obtain rights for industrial minerals. The Minerals Commission is tasked with maintaining a public register of mineral rights, ensuring transparency in the sector.
Akonta Mining’s legal action raises questions about accountability and the balance between economic interests and environmental protection. The company argues that the Minister’s statements have not only damaged its reputation but also undermined its operations, which it claims are lawful. In its statement of claim, Akonta Mining emphasized that the defendants must prove the allegations or face the consequences of their “reckless” assertions.
A Broader Context of Galamsey Challenges
The case also highlights the broader struggle to combat galamsey in Ghana. Despite numerous government initiatives, illegal mining continues to escalate, destroying forests, rivers, and farmlands. The use of heavy machinery like excavators and bulldozers has exacerbated the environmental toll, with Global Forest Watch reporting that Ghana lost 80,300 hectares of natural forest in 2020 alone, equivalent to 91.8 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it could set a precedent for how defamation claims intersect with public discourse on illegal mining. For now, Akonta Mining awaits a response from the defendants, with the court granting them eight days from the date of service to file their defense. The outcome of this case may have far-reaching implications for both the mining industry and
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