The Forestry Commission of Ghana has announced a firm stance against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, vowing to investigate and discipline any of its personnel found complicit in the unlawful activity.
This decisive action follows serious allegations by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, accusing certain commission staff of colluding with illegal miners and enabling environmental degradation.
Speaking to the media, the Deputy CEO of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoku, confirmed that internal investigations will be launched immediately. He emphasized the importance of accountability, adding that any staff members found guilty of aiding galamsey activities will face the full force of the law.
Kotoku reiterated that these inquiries must be thorough and impartial, stressing the need to uphold ethical standards and restore public trust in state institutions tasked with protecting Ghana’s natural resources.
Meanwhile, in a significant development, the Lands Minister on Monday, April 21, ordered the revocation of the mining license held by Akonta Mining Company Ltd. This follows revelations from undercover investigations which exposed the company’s involvement in illegal mining operations within Ghana’s protected forest reserves.
According to Minister Armah Buah, although Akonta Mining holds a legitimate license for off-reserve mining, it has unlawfully encroached on the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves in the Western North Region. The investigations further revealed that the company permitted illegal miners to operate within these forest areas, allegedly collecting as much as GHS 300,000 per concession. It is also alleged that some illegal operators paid Akonta Mining up to 250 grams of gold weekly as part of a corrupt arrangement.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending illegal mining, protecting the country’s forest reserves, and ensuring that institutions like the Forestry Commission are not compromised in the process.
Story by Enoch Amaglo
