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The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has confirmed that Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will be prosecuted on Monday, October 6, 2025, for his alleged role in illegal mining operations linked to Akonta Mining.
Dr. Ayine disclosed that formal charges have been prepared against Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and five others following investigations into illegal mining activities within forest reserves. The investigations revealed that Akonta Mining encroached on forest lands without the necessary permits.
The case traces back to April 21, 2025, when the government revoked Akonta Mining’s license after then-Lands Minister, Armah-Kofi Buah, exposed the company’s alleged involvement in galamsey within the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves in the Western North Region, despite being licensed to operate only off-reserve.
While the company has denied wrongdoing, Dr. Ayine explained that progress on the case had been delayed because crucial investigation dockets were concealed under the previous administration. He noted that the police had conducted a thorough investigation in 2022 but the documents only resurfaced two months ago.
Addressing civil society groups at the Flagstaff House on Friday, October 3, the Attorney General stated that although Chairman Wontumi’s lawyers requested that he appear in court on Tuesday, he has directed that the appearance be made on Monday.
“If he does not come on Monday, I am going to order his arrest so that he is brought to Accra and then we can start the prosecution,” Dr. Ayine cautioned.
The upcoming prosecution is expected to attract significant public attention, given the high-profile nature of the accused and the government’s ongoing fight against illegal mining.
