The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, has heard that as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal mining, also known as galamsey, the police retrieved several items from the concession of Akonta Mining Company Limited.
The retrieved items included eight pump-action guns, five gold pieces, 25 serviceable excavators, GH¢157,000 in cash, and various mining equipment.
Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice SremSai, disclosed this when he presented Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), before the court on Monday for his charges and facts to be read to him.
Chairman Wontumi, his company Akonta Mining Company Limited, and a third accused person, Kwame Antwi (currently at large), have been charged with assigning mineral rights without approval and facilitating unlicensed mining operations. Both Wontumi and his company pleaded not guilty.
Arguments for Bail
During the argument for bail, his counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, argued that Chairman Wontumi had cooperated throughout the investigation and was already on police enquiry bail, hence must be grant bail. He described Wontumi as a law-abiding citizen with strong family and business ties in Ghana, insisting that he posed no flight risk.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr.SremSai, representing the Republic, did not oppose the bail application, but requested stringent conditions to ensure compliance. He told the court that neither Wontumi nor Akonta Mining had provided credible documentation to justify their mining operations.
He further urged the court to retain Wontumi’s passport and enforce close monitoring to prevent him from fleeing, stressing that the bail sum should be substantial enough to deter any misconduct and safeguard state interests.
Wontumi Granted GH¢15 Million Bail
The Accra High Court’s Criminal Division subsequently granted Chairman Wontumi bail in the sum of GH¢15 million. Justice Kocuvie-Tay ordered that Wontumi provide three sureties, two of whom must justify the bail with landed property. All three sureties are required to submit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses to the court’s registry.
As part of the bail conditions, the court directed thatWontumi deposit his passport with the court registry and report to the case investigator twice a month — specifically on the first and third Mondays. His name is also to be placed at all ports of exit, while the investigator must periodically file evidence of his compliance.
Background of the Case
According to the prosecution, the first accused, Bernard AntwiBoasiako, 49, is an entrepreneur from Kuntanase in the Ashanti Region and one of two shareholders and directors of Akonta Mining Company Limited, incorporated on November 5, 2010.
Although the company lists Tarkwa as its principal place of business, its operations have primarily taken place in the Samreboi area of the Western Region.
The second accused, Kwame Antwi, remains at large. Wontumi reportedly told investigators that he had neither seen nor heard from his co-director since 2010, yet evidence indicates he has exercised full control over the company’s operations since its incorporation.
The prosecution further stated that Wontumi granted mining approval to a man named Henry Okum without authorization from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, as required by law.
One of the arrested suspects, Michael Ayisi Gyedu, identified Okum as his employer. Okum allegedly told investigators that he had received authorization from Wontumi in September 2024 to carry out mining operations.
A police operation at Samreboi on April 16 and 17, 2025, resulted in the arrest of 29 individuals and the seizure of the aforementioned items. Following investigations, Wontumi was charged at the Police CID Headquarters on October 6, 2025.
The case has been adjourned to October 28, 2025, with the Republic expected to apply for the forfeiture of all items recovered during the operation.
Source: Thechronicle.com.gh
Discussion about this post