Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), alongside Kwame Antwi, a director of Akonta Mining, and Akonta Mining Company Limited itself, have been formally charged by the State for alleged breaches of Ghana’s mining laws. These charges, filed at the High Court in Accra on Monday, October 6, 2025, relate to the unauthorized assignment of mineral rights and the facilitation of unlicensed mining operations, specifically stemming from activities in the Samreboi area of the Western Region.

The three accused parties face a total of six criminal counts. Each accused individual and the company face two charges. These include three counts of assigning mineral rights without approval, which is contrary to Sections 14(1) and 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Section 3 of Act 995 (2019). Additionally, they face three counts of purposely facilitating unlicensed mining operations, also under the same Act. The alleged activities are said to have taken place in 2024.

Chairman Wontumi, aged 49, is listed as one of two shareholders and directors of Akonta Mining Company Limited, which was incorporated on November 5, 2010, with its core business being “mining and exploration.” Although the company’s principal place of business is listed as Tarkwa, its operations are primarily conducted in Samreboi. Wontumi is specifically alleged to have permitted two individuals, Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi, to undertake mining operations within Akonta Mining’s concession without obtaining prior written approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. He is also accused of deliberately facilitating these unlicensed operations. Despite Wontumi informing investigators that he had not seen or heard from Kwame Antwi since 2010, after the company’s registration, investigations revealed that Wontumi has maintained full control over the company’s operations since its establishment.

Kwame Antwi, the second accused person and a director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, faces parallel charges. He is alleged to have similarly permitted the unauthorized mining activities and purposely facilitated unlicensed mining by the same individuals, Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi, on the company’s concession. Kwame Antwi is currently at large.

Akonta Mining Company Limited, as the third accused, faces corporate liability. The company is charged with having, through its operations in Samreboi in 2024, permitted unauthorized mining activities on its concession without ministerial approval and enabling unlicensed mining activities, thereby breaching the Minerals and Mining Act.

In efforts to curb illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, the Ghana Police Service conducted a special operation at Samreboi on April 16, 2025. This operation led to the arrest of 29 individuals within Akonta Mining’s concession. During the raid, various items were recovered, including eight pump-action guns, one single-barrel gun, five pieces of suspected gold, 25 excavators (four of which were non-functional), ₵157,000 cash, numerous cartridges, motorcycles, and vehicles. The State has indicated its intention to seek a forfeiture order for all valuable items retrieved during the operation once the trial concludes.

Chairman Wontumi has been granted bail in the sum of GH₵15 million with three sureties. The court’s ruling stipulates that two of these sureties must be justified with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, Wontumi is required to deposit his passport(s) with the Registrar of the court and will be placed on a stop list at all entry and exit points of the country. The three sureties are also mandated to submit photocopies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses to the Registrar. As part of his bail conditions, Chairman Wontumi must report to the investigator handling the case on the first and third Monday of every month, with the investigator expected to file proof of compliance for the court’s inspection.

The Attorney General’s Office, led by Dr. Dominic Ayine, formally filed these charges. This action underscores the state's increasing reliance on existing mining legislation to combat illegal mining and is expected to test the scope of both corporate and individual liability for such activities in Ghana.