By On April 21, 2025, the Ghanaian government made a decisive move in its fight against illegal mining by directing the Minerals Commission to revoke the mining license of Akonta Mining. The company, embroiled in controversy for years, is accused of selling portions of the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve to illegal miners at a staggering GHS 350,000 per concession.
This development, announced by the Lands Ministry and reported by BNewsMargazin on X, underscores Ghana’s escalating battle to curb the destructive practice of “galamsey” and protect its natural resources.
The Tano Nimri Forest Reserve, a critical ecological zone in Ghana, has long been a target for illegal mining activities. Akonta Mining, linked to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Region’s NPP Chairman, has faced scrutiny since at least 2022. Back then, the Minerals Commission clarified that Akonta Mining held no legal permit to operate in the reserve, despite a pending application for a mining lease.
Reports from MyJoyOnline in October 2022 noted that the company had vacated the site following a ministerial directive, but the recent allegations suggest a troubling return to illicit operations. The sale of concessions to illegal miners not only violates mining regulations but also fuels the broader galamsey crisis, which has devastated 34 of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves, destroying 4,726 hectares of forest land, according to ISS Africa.
Galamsey, the local term for illegal small-scale mining, has wreaked havoc on Ghana’s environment, polluting water bodies, degrading farmland, and threatening biodiversity. The 2006 Minerals and Mining Act reserves small-scale mining for Ghanaian citizens and mandates alternative livelihood programs for affected communities, yet enforcement remains a challenge.
A 2024 report by ICLG highlights that while Ghana’s mining laws, including the 2020 Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, aim to prioritize local benefits, political pressures and a lack of inspectors—issues the Minerals Commission flagged in 2022—hinder progress. The Akonta Mining case exemplifies this struggle, revealing how influential figures can exploit regulatory gaps, further eroding public trust in governance.
The government’s decision to revoke Akonta Mining’s license signals a renewed commitment to tackling illegal mining, but it also raises questions about systemic accountability. Critical voices, including labor unions and religious groups, have long called for a state of emergency to halt all mining in forest reserves and near water bodies, as noted by ISS Africa.
The Forestry Commission has echoed these concerns, warning of the irreversible damage to Ghana’s ecosystems. Meanwhile, the public’s reaction on platforms like X, where user Collins Ntiful2 responded with fiery emojis, reflects a mix of outrage and cautious optimism.
For Ghana to truly curb galamsey, enforcement must go beyond symbolic actions. Strengthening oversight, prosecuting offenders regardless of political ties, and investing in sustainable livelihoods for mining communities are crucial steps. The revocation of Akonta Mining’s license is a step forward, but the road to preserving Ghana’s forests and securing a sustainable future remains long and arduous. The world is watching—will Ghana rise to the challenge?
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