The Accra High Court has granted bail to Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, in a high-profile illegal mining case linked to activities in a protected forest area.
The court set bail at GH¢10 million with three sureties, two of whom must be justified.
Owusu Bempah is standing trial alongside the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and other accused persons.
The group faces multiple charges arising from alleged illegal mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region.
The charges include undertaking mining without a licence, abetting the unauthorised felling of trees and aiding the construction of structures within the forest reserve.
Prosecutors say the alleged activities caused damage to a protected area and violated Ghana’s mining and environmental laws.
After being on the run for several weeks, Owusu Bempah was arrested on Monday, January 12 and appeared before the court on January 14, 2026, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His legal team, led by Andrew Vortia, urged the court to grant him bail, arguing that he had a permanent place of residence and posed no flight risk.
The prosecution told the court it would amend the charge sheet to remove one accused person who has agreed to serve as a state witness.
While prosecutors did not oppose the bail application, they asked the court to impose strict conditions to ensure the accused attends all proceedings.
In granting bail, the presiding judge also ordered Owusu Bempah to deposit his travel documents with the court registry as the case continues.
