The complex legal saga involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman (Chairman Wontumi), has reached a critical juncture with the adjournment of his two separate illegal mining (galamsey) cases to November 12 and December 4, 2025.
The proceedings at the High Court today (Tuesday, November 4) were marked by a major development in the state’s strategy.
The Attorney General (AG) has formally discontinued the case against the fourth accused, Mr. Edward Akuoko, the General Manager of Akonta Mining—the company at the heart of the controversy.
The discontinuation is predicated on the decision to have Mr. Akuoko transition from an accused person to a key prosecution witness in the state’s case against his employer, Chairman Wontumi.
This strategic manoeuvre is expected to significantly bolster the prosecution’s evidence, particularly regarding the internal workings and operational decisions of Akonta Mining Ltd.
Case 1: Samreboi Concession — The Disclosure Delay
The first case, focused on allegations that Wontumi permitted mining activities on his concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without the required ministerial approval, was adjourned to November 12, 2025.
The adjournment was necessitated by a request from the prosecution to allow them adequate time to serve the defense with necessary disclosures. These disclosures typically include the full list of witnesses, forensic evidence, and statements that the prosecution intends to rely on during the trial.
In this case, Wontumi and his company face multiple charges, including three counts of assigning mineral rights without approval and three counts of purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, in contravention of Section 14(1) and Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
Case 2: Tano Nimire Forest Reserve — Judicial Absence
The second, arguably a more severe case, stems from accusations that Wontumi engaged in extensive mining operations within the protected Tano Nimire Forest Reserve without authorisation.
This case, which involves significant charges related to undertaking mining operations without a licence, felling of trees, and erecting buildings in a forest reserve, has been postponed to December 4, 2025.
The reason for this lengthy delay was purely administrative: the presiding judge is currently on leave.
The state alleges that Akonta Mining’s activities in the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve led to the destruction of approximately 13 hectares of land, including the bed and banks of the Tano River, causing severe environmental pollution.
Bail and Legal Status
Chairman Wontumi, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges in both cases, remains on bail.
He was previously granted bail in the sum of GH₵15 million with three sureties for the Samreboi case and GH₵10 million with two justified sureties for the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve case, underscoring the gravity and financial scale of the allegations.
The legal proceedings are seen as a major test of the government’s commitment to prosecuting high-profile figures implicated in illegal mining, an activity that has ravaged Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.