The legal battle surrounding Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, has entered a pivotal phase as two separate illegal mining cases against him were adjourned to November 12 and December 4, 2025.
Tuesday’s proceedings at the High Court in Accra marked a significant shift in the state’s approach. The Attorney General has withdrawn charges against Mr. Edward Akuoko, the General Manager of Akonta Mining, repositioning him as a state witness instead of an accused person. Akuoko is now expected to provide inside details about the company’s operations, strengthening the prosecution’s case against Wontumi.
The first case, tied to unauthorized mining on Wontumi’s Samreboi concession in the Western Region, was adjourned to November 12 after prosecutors requested additional time to serve the defense with key evidence and disclosures. These documents are expected to include witness lists, forensic findings, and statements supporting the charges.
In this suit, Wontumi and Akonta Mining face three counts of assigning mineral rights without approval and three counts of facilitating unlicensed mining, in violation of Sections 14(1) and 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
The second case, which carries more serious environmental implications, centers on allegations of illegal mining within the protected Tano Nimire Forest Reserve. The matter has been rescheduled to December 4 as the presiding judge is currently on leave, according to a report.
This case includes charges of unauthorized mining, destruction of forest resources, and construction within a protected reserve. The state claims that Akonta Mining’s activities devastated approximately 13 hectares of land and polluted the Tano River’s ecosystem.
Chairman Wontumi has pleaded not guilty to all charges in both trials and continues to remain free on bail. He was earlier granted GH₵15 million bail with three sureties in the Samreboi case and GH₵10 million with two justified sureties in the forest reserve case, reflecting the severe financial and environmental implications of the accusations.
