Every well-minded Ghanaian will be striked after watching the video depicting the level of destruction Wontumi’s Akonta Mining has allegedly caused to Tano Forest Reserve.
For Ghanaians to know the magnitude of destructions allegedly caused by Akonta Mining, the Ghanaian government released a distressing video exposing the unlawful mining operations of a firm owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. This shocking footage showcases extensive destruction in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, located in the Western Region of Ghana.
The day of reckoning for Chairman Wontumi and his ilk has come. @JDMahama means business. Together with well-meaning Ghanaians, we shall win the fight against illegal mining and preserve our environment. pic.twitter.com/VXXa9pskVy
— Sammy Gyamfi (@SammyGyamfi_) April 21, 2025
The video has drawn significant attention, particularly after Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, was visibly moved to tears during a press briefing on April 22, 2025.
The minister expressed his disbelief at the sheer scale of the devastation inflicted on Ghana’s natural resources in the pursuit of profit. He stated, “Every time I watch this video, I am shocked at the extent of damage a Ghanaian would do to Ghana’s forest just in the name of making money.”
The footage highlights vast areas of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve that have been ravaged, featuring enormous trenches, some filled with murky water, as well as heavy excavators actively felling trees and digging deeper into the land. Within the footage, numerous individuals are seen engaged in various activities, including processing mineral ore and laboring in large trenches. This video also captures how these mining practices are leading to contamination of the Tano River, a crucial water source for nearby communities.
Prominent voices, such as Sammy Gyamfi, have taken to social media to condemn the actions of Akonta Mining and affirm their commitment to combating illegal mining practices and preserving Ghana’s natural environment. In a tweet, Gyamfi wrote, “The day of reckoning for Chairman Wontumi and his ilk has come. @JDMahama means business. Together with well-meaning Ghanaians, we shall win the fight against illegal mining and preserve our environment.”
The video serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of illegal mining operations (galamsey).
