The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako — widely known as Chairman Wontumi —will appear in court on Tuesday,October 7 as his trial on illegal mining charges formally commenced.
Mr. Boasiako, a prominent political figure with strong influence in the Ashanti region, is accused of engaging in mining operations without a valid license. The allegations are tied to Akonta Mining Limited, a company he is reported to own. Prosecutors allege that the firm engaged in unauthorized gold mining in forest reserves in the Western Region — a flashpoint in Ghana’s ongoing battle against illegal small-scale mining, locally known as galamsey.
The trial follows Mr. Boasiako’s appearance before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Monday. That appearance came in compliance with a directive from the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine. He was subsequently granted bail set at GHS 1 million (approximately $85,000).
His legal counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed the nature of the charges — chiefly, mining without a license — but emphasized that his client maintains his innocence.
“As you have seen, we will go to court, and that is where the decision will be taken,” Mr. Appiah-Kubi told reporters outside the courtroom. “We are not here to try the case in the media. The court is where we will present our defense.”
The case has attracted national attention amid growing public scrutiny of illegal mining and its environmental toll. The government, under pressure to curb the practice, has vowed to enforce mining laws more strictly, even when politically sensitive figures are involved.
If convicted, Mr. Boasiako could face significant penalties under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, including fines and potential imprisonment.
