A High Court has ordered all equipment and items retrieved from a concession belonging to Akonta Mining Limited to be forfeited to the State.
Akonta Mining Limited is the 3rd accused in the case involving Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The order was contained in a ruling by High Court Judge, H/L Audrey Kocuvie-Tay on Wednesday, July 20, 2026. The Court cited Section 9 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by Act 995. That provision makes any item found on a site used for illegal mining liable to forfeiture to the State.
The Court further directed that in dealing with the forfeited items, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources shall comply with Section 10 of the Act.
Section 10 of Act 703 states that “a mineral right shall not be granted to a person unless the person is a body incorporated under the Companies Code 1963 (Act 179), under the Incorporated Private Partnerships Act 1962 (Act 152) or under an enactment in force.”
Under the Act, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources is the authority responsible for the grant and administration of mineral rights. This means the Minister will determine what happens to the seized excavators, pumps and other machinery: whether they are auctioned, reassigned to state agencies for anti-galamsey operations, or destroyed.
The ruling forms part of government’s intensified clampdown on illegal mining. The State is being represented by Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney General, with support from Esi Dentaa Yankah, Priscilla Lartey and Natalie Korkor Hammond. Mr. Samuel Atta Akyea is counsel for the 1st and 3rd accused in the case.
The forfeiture adds to the growing number of equipment already seized by the State in its fight against illegal mining across the country.
