Wontumi’s galamsey cases adjourned as state drops one accused

The long-running legal battles involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have reached a key turning point following new developments in court.

At Tuesday’s (November 4) High Court sitting, the Attorney General (AG) formally dropped charges against Edward Akuoko, the General Manager of Akonta Mining, the company at the center of the controversy.

Mr. Akuoko will now serve as a prosecution witness against his employer, a move expected to strengthen the state’s case by providing inside information on the company’s operations.

Wontumi faces two separate illegal mining (galamsey) cases, both now adjourned, one to November 12, 2025, and the other to December 4, 2025.

The first case involves allegations that he allowed mining at Samreboi in the Western Region without ministerial approval.

The adjournment was requested by prosecutors to give them time to serve the defense with all necessary disclosures, including witness lists and evidence.

In this case, Wontumi and his company are charged with assigning mineral rights without approval and facilitating unlicensed mining, contrary to Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703).

The second case, considered more serious, accuses Wontumi of operating within the protected Tano Nimire Forest Reserve without authorization.

The case was postponed to December 4 because the presiding judge is on leave.

According to the prosecution, Akonta Mining’s activities in the forest reserve destroyed about 13 hectares of land, including sections of the Tano River, causing major environmental damage.

Wontumi has pleaded not guilty in both cases and remains on bail at GH₵15 million with three sureties for the Samreboi case, and GH₵10 million with two justified sureties for the Tano Nimire case.