Hon Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources broke down in tears on live TV during a Press Conference on April 21, 2025.
It has been alleged that the Minister wept as a result of the overwhelming devastation caused by illegal mining activities in some parts of the country.
The Minister particularly addressed the environmental devastation caused in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve and other areas of Ghana’s forest reserves.
Hon. Kofi Buah also addressed Akonta Mining Limited, which he said illegally operated in protected forest reserves, including the Aboi Forest Reserve and Tano Nimri Forest Reserve.
Citing copious evidence of unlawful operations, such as trespassing into forest areas, subleasing concessions to illegal miners, and coordination with corrupt authorities, Hon Buah declared the immediate revocation of Akonta Mining’s lease.
So far, the Ghana Police Service has arrested 51 individuals including 8 Chinese Nationals. About 30 excavators, weapons, vehicles and other mining equipment have also been seized
The Minister condemned Akonta mining and claimed they run a “criminal enterprise,” which included charging GHC 300,000 per concession and receiving weekly royalties of 250 grams of gold from illegal miners.
Vowing to accomplish his mission Hon Buah said “We will not stop until our waters run blue, our forests turn green, and the soul of our country is healed”
