The High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, has granted bail to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and Edward Akuoko, General Manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited, in the ongoing illegal mining case involving operations in the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve.
Both accused persons, who are among five individuals and entities charged in the case, pleaded not guilty to all counts during their initial appearance.
Bail Conditions
The court granted bail in the sum of GHS10 million each, with three sureties — one of whom must be justified with proof of landed property.
Additionally, the court directed the accused persons to:
- Deposit their passports with the Registrar of the Court; and
- Report to the investigator once every two weeks until further notice.
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, together with Edward Akuoko, General Manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited, and the company itself, have pleaded not guilty to fresh charges of engaging in illegal mining operations in the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve.
Chairman Wontumi, who also serves as a director of Akonta Mining, entered his plea both personally and on behalf of the company, denying all charges filed against him and the firm.
Two other individuals — Kwame Antwi, a co-director of Akonta Mining, and Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, the company’s Operations Manager — failed to appear in court and have been declared at large.
Below is a summary of the specific charges:
1. Akonta Mining Company Limited (1st Accused)
Represented in court by Chairman Wontumi; pleaded not guilty to all counts.
- Count 1: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence — Allegedly carried out mining activities in the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve in 2022 without the requisite licence from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
- Count 4: Felling trees in a forest reserve without authority — Accused of illegally felling over 300 merchantable trees and numerous saplings without written approval from the Forestry Commission.
- Count 6: Erecting buildings in a forest reserve without authorisation — Allegedly constructed makeshift structures and checkpoints within the forest without official approval.
2. Bernard Antwi Boasiako (2nd Accused)
Pleaded not guilty to all counts.
- Count 2: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence — Charged as co-owner/director for allegedly engaging in unlicensed mining operations in 2022.
- Count 5: Abetting the unauthorised felling of trees — Allegedly facilitated the cutting of protected trees within the forest reserve.
- Count 7: Abetting the unauthorised erection of buildings — Accused of aiding the construction of unauthorised structures in the forest.
3. Kwame Antwi (3rd Accused – At Large)
Co-director of Akonta Mining.
- Count 2: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence (jointly charged with Wontumi).
- Count 5: Abetting the unauthorised felling of trees.
- Count 7: Abetting the unauthorised erection of buildings.
Investigators say efforts are ongoing to trace him, as he has not participated in the company’s recent operations.
4. Edward Akuoko (4th Accused)
General Manager, Akonta Mining.
- Count 3: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence — Accused of supervising illegal mining activities on behalf of the company.
- Count 5: Abetting the unauthorised felling of trees (jointly charged).
- Count 7: Abetting the unauthorised erection of buildings (jointly charged).
5. Kwadwo Owusu Bempah aka “Sly” (5th Accused – At Large)
Operations Manager, Akonta Mining.
- Count 3: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence (jointly charged with Akuoko).
- Count 5: Abetting the unauthorised felling of trees.
- Count 7: Abetting the unauthorised erection of buildings.
