The Office of the Attorney-General (AG) has withdrawn all charges against Edward Akuoko, a manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited, who was among five individuals standing trial over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
A notice filed at the Accra High Court (Criminal Division) on Monday, November 4, confirmed the withdrawal under Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).
The document, signed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem Sai, stated that Mr. Akuoko had been discharged from all criminal charges related to the Akonta Mining case.
Mr. Akuoko had been standing trial alongside Akonta Mining Limited, Chairman Wontumi, Operations Manager Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, and co-director Kwame Antwi — both of whom remain at large.
The accused faced multiple charges, including engaging in mining operations without a licence, felling trees in a forest reserve without authorisation, abetting unauthorised felling of trees, and erecting structures in a protected area without approval.
Investigations began after petitions alleged that Akonta Mining was conducting illegal mining operations within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve without the required permits.
Although the company reportedly secured leases in Samreboi and Abekoase in July 2022, its application to mine within the forest reserve was rejected in August 2022. Despite this, the company allegedly deployed excavators into the protected area and began full-scale operations.
Officials later discovered unauthorised structures, including checkpoints and makeshift accommodation for miners. The environmental damage was described as severe, with over 13 hectares of forest destroyed and parts of the Tano River polluted.
The charge sheet also referenced an incident on August 17, 2022, when a joint team from the Forestry Commission, Samartex Timber and Plywood Company, and journalists was allegedly confronted by an armed group led by Akuoko and Bempah. The team was reportedly forced to surrender seized equipment before being allowed to leave.
With the Attorney-General’s latest decision, Mr. Akuoko has been formally cleared of all charges, while the case against Akonta Mining and its other directors continues before the court.
Source: Adomonline
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