The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges filed against him and four others over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve at Samreboi in the Western Region.
This latest court appearance comes only hours after he faced a separate case earlier in the day, in which he was placed on a stop list and granted GH¢15 million bail after also pleading not guilty to six other mining-related offences.
Appearing before the Accra High Court on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Chairman Wontumi stood trial alongside representatives of Akonta Mining Company Limited and other associates accused of engaging in unauthorised mining operations and causing environmental destruction within the protected forest reserve.
Prosecutors allege that Wontumi and his company illegally mined and destroyed over 13 hectares of forest land in the Tano Nimiri Forest.
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After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence, the court granted Wontumi GH¢10 million bail with two sureties, one of whom must justify with landed property.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General, cite offences under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended, the Forest Protection Act, 1974 (NRCD 243), and the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Below is a summary of the charges:
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Count One: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence — Akonta Mining Company Limited allegedly operated a concession at Samreboi in 2022 without ministerial authorisation, contrary to Section 99(2)(a) of Act 703.
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Count Two: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence — Wontumi and one Kwame Antwi (currently at large) allegedly conducted illegal mining as directors of Akonta Mining Company Limited within the forest reserve.
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Count Three: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence — The company’s General Manager, Edward Akuoku, and Operations Manager, Kwadwo Owusu Bempah (alias Sly, also at large), are accused of similar unlawful operations.
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Count Four: Felling trees in a forest reserve without written authority — Akonta Mining is alleged to have felled over 300 merchantable trees and several saplings, violating Section 1(1)(a) of NRCD 243.
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Count Five: Abetment of unauthorised felling of trees — Wontumi and three others are accused of aiding the illegal felling of trees, contrary to Section 20(1) of Act 29.
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Count Six: Erecting buildings in a forest reserve without written authority — Akonta Mining allegedly built structures within the forest reserve without approval, breaching Section 1(1)(b) of NRCD 243.
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Count Seven: Abetment of unauthorised erection of buildings in a forest reserve — Wontumi and his co-accused are alleged to have facilitated the construction of buildings in the reserve without lawful authorisation.
Chairman Wontumi, who was earlier granted GH¢1 million bail with two sureties in the earlier case, has met his bail conditions and remains free pending the outcome of both trials.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem