Accra, Ghana – On October 7, 2025, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), appeared in the Accra High Court facing serious allegations of illegal mining.
Alongside Kwame Antwi, a director at Akonta Mining Limited, and the company itself, Wontumi has been charged with six counts, including two each for illegally assigning mineral rights without government approval. The charges, filed on October 6, 2025, stem from galamsey activities linked to Akonta Mining’s operations, which allegedly caused significant environmental damage, including deforestation and river pollution.
Here Are Chairman Wontumi’s (Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako) Charges & 2 Others [X Post]
The case has drawn widespread attention as Wontumi, a prominent political figure, was granted GH¢1 million bail following questioning by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Prosecutors allege that the defendants’ actions violated Ghana’s mining laws, with evidence pointing to unauthorized operations in protected areas like the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve.
Background: Chairman Wontumi’s (Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako) Charges & 2 Others
Environmental reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that over 60% of Ghana’s forest cover in mining regions has been lost since 2015, exacerbating the country’s ongoing galamsey crisis, which has polluted rivers and threatened water supplies.
Public reaction on social media has been swift and polarized, with many demanding jail time for Wontumi and questioning whether political affiliations might influence the trial’s outcome. Comments on the GHOne TV post highlight frustration with perceived favoritism, noting that over 10,000 arrests have been made in anti-galamsey efforts since 2022, yet convictions remain below 20%, according to the Minerals Commission. This case is seen as a test of the government’s commitment to tackling the powerful figures behind illegal mining.
The allegations against Wontumi also tie into broader environmental concerns, with activists pointing to the use of mercury and heavy machinery in galamsey operations, which have turned once-clear rivers like the Pra into murky, toxic waterways.
President John Mahama’s administration, which promised a reset on illegal mining after taking office in January 2025, has declared water bodies and forest reserves as security zones, deploying military forces to curb the activity. However, critics argue that targeting high-profile individuals like Wontumi is crucial to dismantling the networks fueling this environmental devastation.
As the trial unfolds, Wontumi and his legal team have vowed to contest the charges, asserting that all necessary licenses were in place. The outcome could set a precedent for holding politically connected figures accountable in Ghana’s fight against galamsey. With the court case now underway, all eyes are on whether justice will prevail or if political influence will once again shield the accused, amid a nation grappling with the economic and ecological fallout of illegal mining.
