Wontumi Appears Before CID Over Akonta Mining Probe As Ghana’s Fight Against Galamsey Intensifies
Wontumi to Face CID Today Over Akonta Mining Allegations
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is expected to appear before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra today, Monday, October 6, 2025.
The appearance follows a warning from Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, who cautioned on Friday, October 3, that Wontumi would be arrested if he failed to comply. The Attorney General also confirmed that formal charges against him have already been signed and are ready for legal processing.
At the heart of the investigation is Akonta Mining Limited, a company linked to Wontumi, which is accused of conducting illegal mining operations within protected forest reserves.
This case goes beyond one man. It taps into the heart of Ghana’s years-long struggle against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. The country has suffered major environmental damage, especially to water bodies and forests, as a result of unchecked small-scale and illegal mining activities.
Chairman Wontumi’s political influence, combined with his company’s alleged activities, makes this case a crucial test for Ghana’s legal system. Can the institutions of justice act independently and impartially, even when politically powerful figures are involved?
What We Know So Far
Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed on Sunday, October 5, that his client would honour the CID’s invitation.
“We have received the request to appear, and we will be there at 10 a.m. at the CID headquarters,” Appiah-Kubi said.
He, however, expressed concern over the Attorney General’s public warning, saying it was unnecessary and could be interpreted as prejudicial.
“We respect the invitation and will honour it, but the warning was not needed. My client has always cooperated with investigators,” he added.
Akonta Mining has faced public scrutiny since 2022 when reports emerged that it was operating in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western North Region. The Minerals Commission and the Forestry Commission stated that the company lacked the appropriate permits and had encroached on protected lands.
In April 2025, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources directed the revocation of Akonta Mining’s lease. The action followed a joint operation that uncovered illegal mining sites allegedly linked to the company. Several arrests were made, and mining equipment was confiscated.
To escalate matters, the Financial Intelligence Centre froze the bank accounts of Akonta Mining, Chairman Wontumi, and a related company, Hallmark Civil Engineering, under Ghana’s Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Despite these actions, Akonta Mining has denied wrongdoing, insisting it has operated within the bounds of the law. The company claims that its concessions do not fall within any forest reserve and describes the government’s moves as politically motivated.
Illegal mining has devastated Ghana’s environment. According to the Ghana Water Company Limited, illegal mining activities are responsible for up to 60 percent of pollution in major water sources, including the Pra and Offin rivers.
In regions like Ashanti, Eastern, and Western North, farmers have lost cocoa farms to mining-related degradation. Mercury contamination and soil erosion have displaced communities and jeopardized health and food security.
What makes this case significant is not just the scale of damage, but the person involved. Wontumi is not a typical miner. He is a key regional leader of the ruling party, which raises questions about political interference and the impartiality of law enforcement.
If the state can apply the law fairly, regardless of status or affiliation, it could be a turning point in the galamsey fight. If not, public trust in the system may erode further.
Similar cases have emerged across Ghana in recent years. In the Eastern Region, residents near the Birim River have protested multiple times over contaminated water linked to illegal mining.
In the Central Region, a joint military-police operation uncovered dozens of unlicensed mining sites in forest reserves, many operated by politically connected individuals. Despite arrests, few have been prosecuted.
The Wontumi case, because of its high profile, could serve as a precedent for how the justice system treats such cases moving forward. It could either reinforce the rule of law or expose deep flaws in how Ghana handles environmental crimes involving elites.
What to Expect Next
Wontumi’s appearance at the CID today could lead to one of several outcomes:
- Formal arrest and processing based on the signed charges
- Release on bail pending further investigation
- Escalation of the case to court if charges are filed
Observers are watching closely for signs of political interference or transparency in the process. Civil society groups, legal analysts, and environmental watchdogs will be monitoring the outcome to assess whether this case sets a new standard or repeats past patterns.
Chairman Wontumi’s case is about more than one individual. It is about whether Ghana’s legal and environmental systems can function without fear or favour. In a country where illegal mining has caused widespread destruction, this moment could either mark a shift toward accountability or reveal the limits of justice when politics is involved.
Ghanaians are watching not just for a verdict, but for signs that the fight against galamsey is finally being taken seriously regardless of who is involved.
Read also: Kumasi Inner Ring Road to Be Upgraded Under Ghana–Japan Agreement
