The prosecution has closed its case against former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two other accused persons standing trial over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve.

The Republic closed its case at the Accra Criminal Court after calling three witnesses, including two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a detective with the Ghana Police Service.

The two former employees testified about Mr Antwi-Boasiako’s alleged involvement in the company’s mining operations within the forest reserve, while the police detective tendered drone footage, other audiovisual materials and official communications to support the prosecution’s case.

The prosecution maintained that the evidence presented by its witnesses was intended to establish the accused persons’ alleged involvement in the mining activities under investigation.

It also told the court that the accused persons had, during cross-examination, sought to distance themselves from mining operations in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve.

Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court for permission to recall the first prosecution witness for further cross-examination.

The court directed the defence to file a formal application for the witness’s recall by Friday, October 30.

The case has been adjourned to November 4 for the court to hear the application.

The trial concerns allegations of illegal mining in the protected forest reserve. The charges against Mr Antwi-Boasiako and his co-accused remain before the court, and the prosecution’s closure of its case does not amount to a determination of their guilt.