… Cabinet recently approved sweeping amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, including a proposal to cap the maximum duration of mining leases at 20 years. …
… Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Limited, were convicted by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay on two counts each under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. …
… The Minority’s comments follow the conviction and sentencing of Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited by the Accra High Court in a case involving alleged breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). …
… According to the group, the case centred on allegations that Wontumi and Akonta Mining permitted mining activities on the company’s Samreboi concession without the approval of the Minister responsible for mining, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). …
… According to the group, the case centred on allegations that Wontumi and Akonta Mining permitted mining activities on the company’s Samreboi concession without the approval of the Minister responsible for mining, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). …
… The lawmaker further contended that the court misinterpreted the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), arguing that the legislation does not make the transfer of an interest in a mining concession without ministerial approval a criminal offence. …
… The lawmaker further contended that the court misinterpreted the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), arguing that the legislation does not make the transfer of an interest in a mining concession without ministerial approval a criminal offence. …
… In a judgment delivered by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay at the High Court in Accra, Chairman Wontumi and his firm, Akonta Mining Limited, were convicted on two counts each under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended. …
… Call for broader reforms CAGG welcomed government’s plans to amend the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), but stressed that any revised law must include stronger safeguards for forests, water bodies and mining communities. …
… The full charge sheet, dated October 6, 2025, reveals that Wontumi, his company Akonta Mining Limited, and a third accused person who remains at large are being prosecuted under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 201 …
During a state visit, Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema praised Ghana's mining reforms for improving transparency and governance, saying they position Ghana as an example for African countries seeking greater economic benefits from mineral resources. He highlighted the importance of local processing of natural resources, noting that both countries are pursuing policies to move beyond exporting raw materials.
During a state visit, Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema praised Ghana's mining reforms for improving transparency and governance, saying they position Ghana as an example for African countries seeking greater economic benefits from mineral resources. He highlighted the importance of local processing of natural resources, noting that both countries are pursuing policies to move beyond exporting raw materials.
Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), an aspirant for NPP national chairmanship, has not yet decided whether to continue his campaign following a recent jail sentence. His campaign manager said the team will consult with the NPP General Secretary and other stakeholders within a week to determine the way forward.
The Minority in Parliament has called for equal enforcement of Ghana's anti-illegal mining laws and urged the Court of Appeal to closely review the trial that led to the conviction of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako. The Minority criticized selective application of justice in the fight against galamsey and called on the Attorney General to publish the state's enforcement record across the political spectrum.
Lands and Mines Watch Ghana welcomed the Accra High Court's conviction of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) and Akonta Mining Company Limited for unlawful mining activities, and urged stronger action against illegal mining. The group said the judgment reinforces that Ghana's mining laws apply equally to all persons and companies regardless of political status.
Civil society group Lands and Mines Watch Ghana welcomed the conviction and sentencing of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Akonta Mining Company Limited by the Accra High Court, calling it a landmark moment that reinforces the equal application of Ghana's mining laws regardless of political status.
John Darko, Lead Counsel for the Minority Caucus, has criticized the High Court's conviction of former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, arguing the prosecution failed to establish that Wontumi transferred his mining concession to persons engaged in illegal mining, and contending the court misinterpreted the Minerals and Mining Act by criminalizing a transfer that the law merely renders invalid.
The Lead Counsel for the Minority Caucus has criticized the High Court's conviction of former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), arguing that the prosecution failed to establish that Wontumi transferred his mining concession to persons engaged in illegal mining and that the court misinterpreted the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, which he contends renders such a transfer invalid rather than criminal.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has objected to the 20-year prison sentence handed down to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) on two counts under the Minerals and Mining Act, alleging procedural irregularities including denial of counsel and selective prosecution, and vowing to appeal to higher courts.
The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey disputes the government's assertion that the era of impunity is over in illegal mining, arguing that persistent lawlessness across mining hotspots and inconsistent enforcement demonstrate the battle remains unresolved. The coalition acknowledged progress by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources but insists that sustained, uniform enforcement across all regions and against all operators is needed to protect forests, rivers and mining communities.
The Accra High Court has convicted Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, on all six charges under the Minerals and Mining Act in connection with illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. The charges allege that Wontumi and his company Akonta Mining Limited permitted mining operations without ministerial approval and facilitated unlicensed mining in 2024.
The Accra High Court has convicted NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako on all six charges of illegal mining on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region, including unlawful assignment of mineral rights and facilitating unlicensed mining operations contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006.
Ghana's Cabinet has approved amendments to its mining law for submission to parliament, aimed at increasing oversight of the sector and curbing illegal mining. The revised law seeks to strengthen local content, improve linkages to manufacturing, establish district mining committees, and replace reconnaissance and prospecting licences with a single five-year exploration licence.
Cabinet has endorsed proposed amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 that reduce the maximum duration of mining leases from 30 years to 20 years and introduce Community Development Agreements. The revised Bill will be submitted to Parliament for approval as part of broader efforts to strengthen mining sector governance.
The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has advocated for mandatory reclamation bonds for mining licence holders and additional engineers in mining districts to strengthen environmental protection and regulation. He reported that 29 of the Auditor-General's recommendations have been fully implemented and 25 others addressed, while the government is deploying more EPA officers and establishing community mining committees.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines says uncertainty over lease renewals, not high tax rates, is the greatest threat to Ghana's competitiveness as Africa's leading mining investment destination. The Chamber urged government to guarantee security of tenure for mining leases to attract long-term investment, noting that investors prioritize certainty over lease renewals more than tax levels given mining's capital-intensive nature.
The Minerals Commission CEO reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening mineral resource governance through evidence-based policymaking, transparency and strategic partnerships at the inauguration of the Institute for Mineral Resources Investment and Governance (IMRIG) at UMaT. He highlighted ongoing reforms including review of the Minerals and Mining Act and introduction of progressive royalties pricing regulation aimed at improving transparency and strengthening local content.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources announced that the government is implementing regulatory reforms to accelerate mining sector growth and strengthen Ghana's position in West Africa. The review of the Minerals and Mining Act and National Mining Policy is at an advanced stage and will soon be submitted to Parliament, with reforms aimed at improving regulatory efficiency, enhancing environmental protection, and increasing community participation.
Kofreze Construction & Engineering Limited has petitioned the Minerals Commission to intervene after illegal miners forcibly took over its licensed concession at Wasa Dadieso in the Wasa Amenfi East Municipality, Western Region, causing environmental degradation and property destruction. The company's security team detected the invasion about three weeks before the April 24, 2026 petition.
A mining engineer testifying for Chairman Wontumi's defence told the court that Ghana's mining laws require formal procedures and ministerial approval for assignment of mineral rights, and that verbal permission cannot constitute a valid transfer. Wontumi faces six counts of allegedly permitting mining on his concession without prior ministerial approval and facilitating unlicensed mining.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, promoted Ghana to global mining companies at the United Nations Forum on Forests in New York, highlighting the country's mineral deposits, political stability, and legal frameworks. Ghana has attracted over $20 billion in mining investments over the past two decades and remains Africa's leading gold producer.
Adamus Resources Limited, a licensed Ghanaian mining company, has rejected regulatory allegations that it is engaged in illegal mining, stating it operates under valid leases and permits. The company says it has faced persistent illegal mining activities within its concessions at Akango, Salman, Nkroful, and surrounding areas, and has reported these to state institutions.
Mining company Adamus Resources has rejected allegations of illegal mining following the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources revoking its licence, claiming the ministry did not follow due process as required under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006.
Ghana's government has revoked the Akango, Salman and Nkroful mining leases held by Adamus Resources Limited following investigations that revealed illegal mining activities, regulatory breaches, unlawful subcontracting without ministerial approval, and environmental damage including land destruction and water pollution.