Minister Vows Relentless War on Galamsey Financiers


In a bold and fiery press briefing on Monday, April 21, 2025, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, announced a significant breakthrough in the government’s war against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. The minister revealed that Akonta Mining Company Ltd., a firm previously granted a lease to mine off-reserve, has been operating illegally within protected forest reserves in the Western North Region.


Minister Buah disclosed that investigations uncovered Akonta Mining’s deep involvement in a criminal network that has been pillaging the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves, selling illegal mining access for as much as GHC 300,000 per concession. The company is accused of running a syndicate that not only sponsors galamsey activities but does so with the support of some corrupt forestry and security officers, who reportedly receive a share of the illegal proceeds.


An intelligence-led operation carried out on Good Friday, April 17, led to a 12-hour raid on six sites linked to Akonta Mining, resulting in 51 arrests — including eight Chinese nationals — and the seizure of over 30 excavators, firearms, vehicles, and other mining equipment. All suspects have been transported to Accra and are in custody.


The Minister announced that the Minerals Commission has been directed to revoke Akonta Mining’s lease immediately. He also disclosed that implicated forestry officials have been interdicted and security personnel involved will be investigated. The Attorney-General has taken over the matter for prosecution.


Minister Buah warned all licensed mining companies using their legal status to mask illegal operations that the government is monitoring their activities closely. He also made a passionate appeal to the youth involved in galamsey to pursue lawful livelihoods, assuring government support for alternative employment opportunities.


"We will not stop until the soul of our country is healed," the Minister declared, vowing that the government will name, shame, and prosecute all those involved in illegal mining, including financiers and collaborators.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chieftaincy Crisis: Ngleshie Alata Chiefs Reject Imposed Mantse

Image
The Ngleshie Alata Traditional Council has strongly condemned the recent induction of Prince Asharku-Bruce Quaye, also known as Oblempong Wetse Kojo II, as the Ngleshie Alata Mantse. Speaking on behalf of the council, Nii Ofei III, Divisional Chief of Kokrobitey, alleged that the induction was carried out unlawfully by the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs without the knowledge or involvement of the traditional council. According to Nii Ofei III, the process of installing a chief follows clear constitutional and customary guidelines, which were blatantly disregarded in this case. He accused the registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and its president, Oboade Notse King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III, of collaborating to impose Prince Asharku-Bruce Quaye on the traditional council. “This induction was conducted in secrecy. We only became aware of it after a letter circulated about a meeting between the Greater Accra Regional Minister and the Regional House of Chief...
Read more

Electrochem’s Ada Salt Deal in Jeopardy

Image
The 15-year mining lease agreements for Electrochem Ghana Limited, a private salt mining company to mine salt on the Ada Songhor Lagoon appears to be in jeopardy with the withdrawal of consent to the agreement by the allodia owners of the lagoon.  The latest blow to Electrochem which is owned by Daniel McKorley, Chief Executive Officer of the McDan Group of Companies is the withdrawal of consent by Nene Korley IV who is the Divisional Chief and Clan-head of the Tekperbiawe Clan of the Ada Traditional Area.  In a letter written to Mr. McKorley through his lawyers A-F Amissah & Wood Solicitors and Barristers Consultants dated 11th February 2025 and titled, “Letter of Withdrawal of Consent to Electrochem’s Dealing With the Songor Lagoon”, Nene Korley IV cited thuggery, insecurity in Ada, violation of rights of the indigenes and locals among others as the reasons for his withdrawal of consent to the company’s dealings with the Songor lagoon. The letter which was copied NENE AB...
Read more

Royal Jamong Family Raises Alarm Over Alleged Political Interference in Bunkpurugu Chieftaincy Dispute

Image
The Royal Jamong Family of Bunkpurugu has expressed deep concern over what it describes as political interference by Vice President Dr. Mahamud Bawumia and the NPP parliamentary candidate for Bunkpurugu, Mr. Solomon N. Boar, in the ongoing chieftaincy dispute surrounding the Bunkpurugu skin. In a strongly-worded statement, the family accused the two politicians of exerting undue pressure on the National House of Chiefs, a move that they believe undermines the integrity of the chieftaincy institution. The family pointed to recent comments made by Abuba, who claimed that his uncle, Vice President Bawumia, had promised to ensure that a pending judgment in the chieftaincy case would be delayed indefinitely. This, the Royal Jamong Family warned, is a "sad development and a recipe for disaster." The family has also documented Mr. Boar's activities, including a recent trip to Accra with Abuba to meet the Vice President. This has led the family to question the motivations behind ...
Read more