The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a strong warning to illegal mining operators, specifically targeting New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako and his Akonta Mining company.
NDC Communications Director Sammy Gyamfi declared that John Mahama administration would take decisive action against environmental degradation caused by unauthorized mining activities.
Gyamfi’s statement followed the Lands Ministry’s recent revocation of Akonta Mining’s license, after investigations revealed the company’s alleged involvement in the destruction of the Aboi Forest Reserve and surrounding water bodies near Samreboi. According to government reports, the firm had been illegally parceling out concessions to galamsey operators in exchange for weekly royalties.
“The day of accountability has come,” Gyamfi stated on social media, sharing documentary evidence of the environmental damage. He emphasized Mahama’s commitment to environmental protection, framing the 2024 election as a referendum on natural resource management.
The hardline position comes amid growing public frustration over illegal mining’s impact on Ghana’s forests and water systems. Environmental analysts note that while successive governments have pledged to combat galamsey, enforcement has often been undermined by political connections. The current case presents a rare instance of action against a mining operation linked to a senior ruling party official.
Conservation groups have welcomed the license revocation but caution that lasting solutions require systemic reforms to mining regulations and consistent enforcement.
The government maintains its commitment to responsible mining, with sector minister stressing that no individual or company will receive special treatment regarding environmental violations. However, critics argue that only sustained, non-partisan enforcement will effectively address Ghana’s illegal mining crisis.
