The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted bail of GHC10 million with two sureties by the Criminal Court 1 of the High Court in a separate but related illegal mining case involving him and four others.
This latest bail comes shortly after Wontumi was earlier granted a GHC15 million bail by the Criminal Court 4 of the same High Court. He was rearrested and re-arraigned before another court in connection with the Akonta Mining illegal mining case.
Chairman Wontumi, along with four others, faces seven counts of illegal mining-related offenses, including undertaking mining operations without a license, abetting the unauthorized felling of trees, and aiding the erection of buildings in a forest reserve. All five accused persons have pleaded not guilty.
Details of the Charges
- Akonta Mining Company Limited (1st Accused)
Represented in court by Chairman Wontumi, the company pleaded not guilty to:- Count 1: Undertaking mining operations without a license — allegedly operating in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in 2022 without authorization from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
- Count 4: Felling trees in a forest reserve without authority — accused of illegally cutting down over 300 merchantable trees and several saplings without written permission from the Forestry Commission.
- Count 6: Erecting buildings in a forest reserve without authorization — allegedly setting up makeshift structures and checkpoints in the forest.
- Bernard Antwi Boasiako (2nd Accused)
- Count 2: Undertaking mining operations without a license — as co-owner/director of Akonta Mining.
- Count 5: Abetting the unauthorized felling of trees.
- Count 7: Abetting the erection of unauthorized buildings in a forest reserve.
- Kwame Antwi (3rd Accused – At Large)
Co-director of Akonta Mining, charged jointly with Wontumi on Counts 2, 5, and 7. Police say efforts are underway to trace his whereabouts. - Edward Akuoko (4th Accused)
General Manager of Akonta Mining.- Count 3: Undertaking mining operations without a license.
- Counts 5 and 7: Abetting unauthorized felling of trees and building erection.
- Kwadwo Owusu Bempah (5th Accused – At Large)
Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, jointly charged with Akuoko on Counts 3, 5, and 7.
Court Orders and Next Steps
Presiding judge Justice Ruby Aryeetey granted Wontumi and Edward Akuoko GHC10 million bail each, with two sureties — one to be justified.
The court further ordered Wontumi to report to Police investigators every other week and deposit his passport within one week.
The case has been adjourned to November 4, 2025, by which time the prosecution is expected to file all disclosures and supporting documents for the trial.
Speaking to journalists after proceedings, Andy Appiah-Kubi, lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi, criticized what he described as the increasingly burdensome bail conditions imposed on accused persons.
“It’s becoming too many that accused persons are being subjected to difficulties in finding value for properties that will secure their bail. It’s a national issue that we need to discuss,” Appiah-Kubi stated.
