Chairman Wontumi Granted GH₵1 Million Bail in Illegal Mining Case Ahead of Court Appearance

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known popularly as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted bail in the sum of GH₵1 million with two sureties. The bail was granted after he reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra on Monday, October 6, 2025, following a directive from the Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine.

Chairman Wontumi is expected to appear before the High Court in Accra on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, where he will formally respond to three charges related to alleged illegal mining activities involving his company, Akonta Mining Limited.

Illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, continues to threaten Ghana’s environment, water bodies, and agricultural lands. What makes this case significant is the profile of the accused. Wontumi is not just a businessman but a high-ranking political figure in the ruling party, and his prosecution could be a litmus test for Ghana’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws without fear or favour.

The matter is also of regional interest, as countries across Africa struggle to control illegal mining, often fueled by weak enforcement, corruption, and political interference.

The charges against Chairman Wontumi follow months of investigations into Akonta Mining Limited, a company believed to have operated without proper authorization in the Aboi Forest Reserve in the Western North Region.

Earlier this year, on April 21, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, alleged at a press conference that Akonta Mining had illegally sold mining concessions within protected forest reserves. According to the Minister, some of the concessions were sold for up to GH₵300,000, while others were reportedly exchanged for gold royalties.

These revelations led to the immediate revocation of all mining licences held by the company. The Minister further instructed regulatory bodies to clamp down on forest incursions across the country, calling Akonta’s activities “a blatant abuse of Ghana’s natural resources.”

Wontumi Responds Through Legal Team

Speaking to the media after Monday’s CID engagement, Wontumi’s lead lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, maintained that his client had complied with all legal processes and had not refused any invitation from law enforcement.

“We are cooperating fully with the investigation,” he said. “There is no need to escalate political tension. We have no intention of evading justice.”

Appiah-Kubi also warned against what he called “unnecessary threats” to revoke Wontumi’s earlier police enquiry bail, stressing that his client remains committed to defending himself in court.

News of the bail sparked mixed reactions across social media and in political circles. Some civil society groups, including the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, have called for full transparency in the proceedings, urging the Attorney General to ensure that the matter is pursued to its logical conclusion.

Meanwhile, supporters of Wontumi in the Ashanti Region have described the legal process as politically motivated, though no evidence has been provided to support this claim.

Ghana has faced growing criticism over its inability to control illegal mining. Rivers like Ankobra, Offin, and Pra have been heavily polluted. In some cocoa-growing areas, farmers report declining yields due to soil contamination.

Despite multiple military-led operations such as Operation Halt II, enforcement remains inconsistent. Critics argue that the involvement of politically connected individuals in galamsey has made it harder to root out the practice entirely.

A recent statement by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at a durbar in Kumasi echoed national concerns. He warned that the destruction of forest reserves and water bodies threatens the long-term survival of Ghana’s economy and called on political leaders to “lead by example” in protecting the land.

Chairman Wontumi’s appearance at the High Court on Tuesday is expected to mark the formal beginning of the trial process. If the charges are admitted by the court, proceedings could lead to a full criminal trial in the coming weeks.

Legal analysts suggest that the key issues in court will center on:

• Whether Akonta Mining operated in forest reserves without valid licences
• Whether concessions were sold or transferred illegally
• Whether Chairman Wontumi, in his capacity as owner or director, directly authorized or benefitted from these activities

The prosecution is likely to rely on documentation from the Minerals Commission, the Forestry Commission, and witness statements from affected communities.

As Ghana strives to balance economic development with environmental preservation, this case has the potential to set a powerful precedent. If prosecuted transparently, it could demonstrate that no one is above the law, not even influential political actors.

At the same time, it raises uncomfortable questions about how deeply illegal mining has permeated both local and national structures of power.

For now, all eyes will be on the Accra High Court as Chairman Wontumi prepares to defend himself against the charges.

Read also: Wontumi Appears Before CID Over Akonta Mining Probe As Ghana’s Fight Against Galamsey Intensifies