Lands & Mines Watch Ghana

27/07/2026

Productive session with the Lands & Mines Watch Ghana team.

23/07/2026

https://landsandmineswatch.org.gh/news/ghana-showcases-local-content-progress-at-tanzania-s-mining-forum

Ghana has highlighted significant progress in local content development within its mining sector at the Fifth Local Content Compliance Forum held from 22–24 July 2026 in Mwanza, Tanzania. Representing the country, the De…

21/07/2026

Dealing with Mineral Rights.

The offence in Section 14(1) of Act 703 is committed where the accused person deals with the mineral rights in any of the following manner. That is to say that (1) where he transfers it, (2) where he assigns it, or (3) where he mortgages it.

However, the offence is also committed where the accused person in any other manner (4) encumbers the rights or (5) deals with it in any like manner. Indeed, much of the trial was on this aspect of the offence.

Page 19 to 20 of the Judgment.

21/07/2026

https://www.myjoyonline.com/lands-and-mines-watch-welcomes-wontumi-verdict-urges-tougher-action-against-illegal-mining/

Lands and Mines Watch Ghana (LMWG) has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and Akonta Mining Company Limited, describing the judgment as a landmark moment in Ghana's fight against illegal mining. In a st...

20/07/2026

Chairman Wontumi has been convicted and sentenced to 20 years over illegal mining at his Samreboi concession. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, says the verdict shouldn't be the end of the fight. It should be the push for more accountability, regardless of political standing. Justice applied consistently, without fear or favour, is exactly what galamsey enforcement demands.

20/07/2026

Chairman Wontumi, NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison over illegal mining on the Samreboi concession. Convicted on all six charges under the Minerals and Mining Act, including assigning mineral rights without approval and facilitating unlicensed mining. The court also fined him GH₵120,000, with a further 3-year default term if unpaid. Akonta Mining Company Limited, linked to his case, was fined rather than jailed. This is one of Ghana's most closely watched illegal mining prosecutions, and a signal that the law applies at every level.

20/07/2026

Tonight the Executive Director of LMWG Kwame Owusu Danso join State of Affairs on GHOne TV to discuss what Chairman Wontumi’s 20-year sentence means for Ghana’s fight against galamsey.
This conviction on all charges tied to illegal mining at the Samreboi concession is one of the most significant rulings we’ve seen against a politically exposed person in this crackdown.

But a single high-profile case is not a strategy. The real test is whether the state now pursues the other actors implicated in illegal mining with the same resolve, regardless of political affiliation.
He will be sharing his perspective as Executive Director of Lands & Mines Watch Ghana on what this ruling should mean for enforcement going forward and what still needs to happen.

17/07/2026

16/07/2026

This regime ensures that government captures significant revenue during periods of rising commodity prices or production booms while conversely alleviating financial strain on companies during downturns by reducing rates to prevent negative cash flow, encourage continuous operations to guarantee job security. Ultimately, this self-adjusting mechanism offers greater predictability to investors than a rigid fixed rate vulnerable to low-price cycles - Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah; Minister for lands and natural resources ‎