The Accra High Court has convicted Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on all six charges related to illegal mining activities. This conviction stems from operations on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. The charges were brought against him, his company Akonta Mining Limited, and a third accused person who remains at large.
The full charge sheet, dated October 6, 2025, details the prosecution under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995). The core allegations involve the assignment of mineral rights without proper approval and facilitating unlicensed mining operations. Each count carries a maximum penalty of up to 25 years' imprisonment, underscoring the severity of these offenses.
This case fits into Ghana's broader struggle against 'galamsey,' the local term for illegal small-scale mining, which has caused significant environmental degradation and economic losses. The government has intensified its efforts to curb these activities, deploying military operations and strengthening legal frameworks. This high-profile conviction signals a stronger commitment to enforcing mining laws, potentially deterring others from similar illicit practices.
The prosecution alleged that in 2024, Wontumi, as the owner and controlling director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, permitted Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to undertake mining operations without the required prior written approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. Kwame Antwi, another director of Akonta Mining who is currently at large, faces the same charge. Akonta Mining Company Limited itself was also charged with permitting these individuals to mine without ministerial consent.
Counts Four, Five, and Six further charged Wontumi, Kwame Antwi, and Akonta Mining respectively with purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation. This is contrary to Section 99(2)(b) of Act 703 as amended. The police operation that led to these arrests occurred on April 16-17, 2025, in the Samreboi area. Authorities seized eight pump-action guns, one single-barrelled gun, five pieces of suspected gold, and 25 serviceable excavators, among other items.
Wontumi, a 49-year-old entrepreneur, is one of two shareholders and directors of Akonta Mining Company Limited, incorporated on November 5, 2010. The company lists Tarkwa as its principal place of business but operates mainly in the Samreboi area. Investigations established that Wontumi exercised absolute control over the company's activities, despite claiming he had not seen his co-director since 2010.
During interrogation, Michael Ayisi Gyedu named Henry Okum as his employer. Okum subsequently told police that he approached Wontumi in September 2024 and received permission to mine on the concession. Wontumi, in his defense, denied authorizing any mining and claimed Akonta Mining had never operated on the concession due to a lack of parliamentary ratification. He stated that Okum was contracted only for land reclamation and a coconut plantation project.
The conviction of a prominent political figure like Chairman Wontumi could have significant implications for the fight against illegal mining in Ghana. It demonstrates the judiciary's resolve to apply the law regardless of political affiliation. This outcome may encourage stricter enforcement by regulatory bodies and increase public confidence in the government's anti-galamsey campaign. Decision-makers and environmental groups will closely watch the sentencing and any subsequent appeals, as this case sets a precedent for future prosecutions under the Minerals and Mining Act.