The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, well-known as Chairman Wontumi, has been ordered to remain on a stop list across all entry and exit points of Ghana after being granted bail by the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra.
The court reportedly granted him bail of GH₵15 million following six criminal charges brought against him by the Office of the Attorney-General for alleged violations of the country’s mining laws.
Appearing before the court with his company, Akonta Mining Company Limited, Wontumi pleaded not guilty to all counts. A second accused, identified as Kwame Antwi, is currently on the run.
As part of the bail conditions, Wontumi must provide three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. He is also required to surrender his passport(s) to the Registrar and remain on the national stop list until the court decides otherwise.
The sureties must submit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses to the Registrar. Additionally, Wontumi must report to the investigator assigned to the case on the first and third Monday of every month, with proof of compliance filed in court by the investigator.
The charges against Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and the missing second accused stem from alleged illegal mining operations at Samreboi in the Western Region. Prosecutors cited breaches of key provisions under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and its 2019 amendment (Act 995).
The offences include:
- Assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval: Wontumi allegedly allowed two individuals, Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi, to mine within Akonta Mining’s concession without written consent from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
- The same charge applies to Kwame Antwi for authorizing similar operations.
- Corporate liability: Akonta Mining is accused of allowing unapproved mining on its concession.
- Facilitating unlicensed mining: Wontumi and Kwame Antwi allegedly enabled unlicensed operators to mine on Akonta Mining’s property.
- Corporate facilitation of unlicensed mining: Akonta Mining faces this charge for permitting illegal activities under its name.
The charges were officially filed by the Attorney-General’s Office, led by Dr. Dominic Ayine, on October 6, 2025.
