Akonta Mining Company Limited has issued a firm rebuttal to what it describes as “reckless and baseless” allegations made by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, regarding alleged illegal mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
In a press statement, the company condemned the Minister’s comments as a violation of natural justice and an act of political victimisation.
“The Honourable Minister’s decision to publicly associate Akonta Mining with illegal mining and call for the revocation of our license is not only unjust and premature but also a clear case of ‘hanging the dog and giving it a bad name,’” the company stated.
Akonta Mining maintains that it holds valid leases and permits issued by the Minerals Commission and operates strictly within legal boundaries in Samreboi and Abokoase—not in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The company clarified that it has never engaged in any mining activities within the forest reserve and that its 2022 application for access to the area was rejected by both the Minerals Commission and the Forestry Commission.
It also strongly denied allegations of receiving GH¢350,000 from illegal miners, describing the claim as “entirely false, defamatory, and mischievous,” and challenged anyone with evidence to substantiate the claim.
“We vehemently deny any knowledge of, or association with, one Mr. Ayisi, who has been falsely linked to us,” the statement added.
Emphasising its commitment to environmental stewardship, Akonta Mining highlighted its ongoing land reclamation initiatives, including the planting of over 18,000 coconut trees, with an additional 32,000 planned.
“Although these efforts come at a significant cost, we consider them essential to ensure responsible mining that safeguards both the environment and local communities,” the company noted.
Akonta Mining concluded by reaffirming its readiness to cooperate with any credible investigation and urged the public and authorities to uphold the principles of fairness, due process, and justice.