Source:Sankofaonline
Accra, Ghana — October 9, 2025
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is now facing a barrage of criminal charges in a high-stakes legal battle over alleged illegal mining activities in Ghana’s protected forest zones. The Accra High Court has formally indicted him on seven counts, each carrying a potential 25-year prison sentence, which could total up to 106 years if he is convicted on all charges.
The charges stem from operations linked to Akonta Mining Company Limited, where Wontumi serves as a director. The company is accused of conducting unauthorized mining in the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve in the Western Region, a protected area under Ghanaian environmental law.
Summary of Allegations
The Attorney-General’s office has brought forward the following charges:
- Unauthorized transfer of mineral rights: Wontumi allegedly allowed individuals to mine on Akonta Mining’s concession without the required written consent from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
- Enabling illegal mining operations: He and another director, Kwame Antwi (who remains at large), are accused of facilitating mining activities that lacked proper licensing.
- Operating without a valid mining license: Prosecutors claim Akonta Mining carried out mining in the forest reserve in 2022 without legal authorization, damaging over 13 hectares of land.
- Illegal logging of protected trees: The company is said to have felled more than 300 trees, including merchantable species and saplings, without approval from the Forestry Commission.
- Complicity in illegal deforestation: Wontumi is charged with aiding and abetting the unlawful cutting of trees.
- Constructing buildings in a protected forest: Structures were allegedly built within the forest reserve without the necessary permits.
- Assisting in unauthorized construction: Wontumi is also accused of facilitating the development of these illegal structures.
Each of these offenses carries a maximum sentence of 25 years, placing Wontumi at risk of a lengthy incarceration if found guilty.
Bail and Court Proceedings
Wontumi has denied all allegations and entered a plea of not guilty. The court has granted him bail set at GH₵10 million, backed by two sureties, one of whom must provide proof of ownership of landed property. He has been ordered to surrender his passport and report to investigators twice monthly. Additionally, his name has been placed on a stop list to prevent him from leaving the country.
His legal team argues that the charges are politically motivated and insists that Akonta Mining operated within the bounds of the law. The trial is ongoing, and no verdict has been reached.
SankofaOnline Commentary
This case has reignited national debate over illegal mining, or “galamsey,” which continues to wreak havoc on Ghana’s environment. The involvement of a prominent political figure like Chairman Wontumi highlights the challenges in enforcing environmental regulations when powerful interests are at play.
SankofaOnline calls for a transparent and impartial judicial process. The outcome of this case could serve as a litmus test for Ghana’s commitment to environmental protection and the rule of law. If the judiciary holds firm, it may send a strong message that no one is above the law, regardless of political stature.
As the proceedings unfold, the Ghanaian public remains watchful. Will this trial mark a turning point in the fight against environmental degradation, or will it become another missed opportunity for accountability?
