Claim: Dennis Miracle Aboagye, the Spokesperson of Ghana’s governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2024 Campaign, says Akonta Mining Ltd, a company owned by the party’s Ashanti regional chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, was licensed to mine in 2013 under the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s investigations showed that Akonta Mining Limited was not licensed to mine in 2013, as Mr Aboagye alleged. The Minerals Commission’s data revealed that the small-scale mining company was issued the Reconnaissance License and Prospecting License on June 15, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2012, respectively. However, under the ruling NPP, the company’s two mining leases, Samreboi and Abokoase, were issued on July 23, 2021.

Full Text

The destruction of water bodies and forest reserves in Ghana has become a significant topic in the media. Professional groups, including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), have called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to conduct a nationwide moratorium on mining activities.

See media reports on the calls for a ban on small-scale mining here, here, and here.

Akonta Mining Ltd, a small-scale operation owned by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP)’ Ashanti regional chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was recently accused of illegal mining in a forest reserve.

Reacting to the claim on Accra-based Joy News, Dennis Miracle Aboagye, the Spokesperson of NPP’s 2024 Campaign, said there is no evidence that the small-scale mining company is carrying out an illegal operation as alleged.

“Akonta Mining [Ltd] is a licensed small-scale mining. Since when did small-scale mining become illegal? So, the fact that somebody owns a mining concession does not make it illegal…what the license does is that once you are regulated to mine a safe and appropriate way that does not affect our environment,” Mr Aboagye said.

The former Akuapem North District Chief Executive (DCE) said Akonta Mining Limited was licensed to mine in 2013 under the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and not the NPP.

“Unless you have contrary evidence to prove that Akonta mining [is engaging in illegal mining] …Because Akonta Mining didn’t get their license [under] the NPP. They got their license in 2013 under the NDC government and are doing their small-scale mining,” he said.

See minutes 4:49 to 5:56 of the video for Mr Aboagye’s comment on the operation of Akonta Mining Limited.

Also, see here a post on the video on X (formerly Twitter).

The social media platform revealed that as of Sept. 24, 2024, the video shared by Accra-based Joy News had received over 1,277 views within five days.

The post on X also received over 12,223 views, 79 reposts, 269 likes, 78 bookmarks, and 17 comments.

DUBAWA decided to probe the claim as part of its campaign against misinformation and disinformation in Ghana.

Verification

DUBAWA’s investigations showed that Akonta Mining Ltd was not licensed to mine in 2013 under the opposition National Democratic Congress, as Mr Aboagye alleged.

The Minerals Commission’s data revealed that the small-scale mining company was issued the Reconnaissance License and Prospecting License on June 15, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2012, respectively.

There are various mineral rights and license regimes in Ghana, including Reconnaissance Licence (RL), Prospective License (PL), Mining Lease (ML), Restricted Mining Lease (RML), and Small-scale Mining License (for only Ghanaians).

Of the mineral rights and license types, the Reconnaissance License and Prospective License do not involve the extraction of minerals in the country.

Ghana’s mining law has disclosed that the reconnaissance license permits the holder to explore for a maximum of 12 months, renewable. However, this license does not involve drilling and excavation activities.

Also, the Prospective License permits the holder to search for minerals and undertake evaluation activities that do not exceed 750 contiguous blocs within three years. It is renewable with a reduction of the area to not more than half.

The mining lease and other mineral rights permit the holder to extract minerals from the designated land.

Touching on Akonta Mining Ltd’s activities, the Minerals Commission noted that the company’s two mining leases, Samreboi and Abokoase, were issued on July 23, 2021, not 2013.

According to the license type granted to Akonta Mining Ltd. in 2011 and 2012 under the erstwhile NDC government, the company had no right to carry out extractive activities in the country.

DUBAWA’s visit to the Ghana Mining Repository managed by the Minerals Commission disclosed that Akonta Mining Ltd applied for a mining lease to mine in Samreboe on April 13, 2021, approved within three months on July 23, 2021.

The Minerals Commission has shown that the mining lease on Samreboe will expire on July 22, 2051, and that of Abokoase will expire on July 22, 2031.

Conclusion

Akonta Mining Ltd, a company owned by NPP’s Ashanti regional chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was not licensed to mine in 2013, as Mr. Aboagye alleged.