By Prince Ahenkorah
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is set to appear before the High Court in Accra today, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, to face galamsey-related charges.
This follows his release on GH¢1 million bail with two sureties after he was interrogated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Monday, October 6.
According to reliable sources, at least three mining-related charges are expected to be leveled against him, including invasion of forest reserves and mining without a permit.
Speaking to journalists, his lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed his client’s cooperation with investigators but cautioned that any attempt to revoke his existing police enquiry bail would be “vigorously resisted.”
The case stems from long-standing allegations linking Akonta Mining Limited, a company reportedly owned by Chairman Wontumi, to illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region.
Back in October 2022, government authorities ordered the burning of ‘galamsey’ site structures belonging to Akonta Mining in the reserve, following a directive from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to halt all operations by the company.
A statement issued by the Ministry on September 30, 2022, and signed by sector minister Samuel Abu Jinapor, confirmed that although Akonta Mining held a mining lease in parts of Samreboi, it had no mineral rights to operate in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The statement further instructed the Forestry Commission to ensure the company ceased all operations in the reserve and to take action against any individuals found culpable.
“Our records show that Akonta Mining Ltd, on August 25, 2022, applied for a mining lease to undertake mining operations in the said forest reserve. However, the application has not been determined, and therefore any activity by the company in the forest is illegal,” the Ministry noted.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to combatting illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’, and emphasized that it would continue enforcing the law against individuals and entities found engaging in such activities.
Meanwhile, the national conversation on illegal mining continues to intensify, with many civil society organizations and concerned citizens calling on government to ensure the prosecution of the management of Akonta Mining Limited and other firms implicated in similar environmental offenses.