The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has entered a not guilty plea to all seven charges brought against him and four others in connection with alleged illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve at Samreboi in the Western Region.
This development follows an earlier court appearance the same day, during which he was placed on a stop list and granted GH₵15 million bail after pleading not guilty to a separate set of six mining-related offenses.
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Wontumi appeared before the Accra High Court together with representatives of Akonta Mining Company Limited and other associates accused of engaging in unauthorised mining and causing environmental destruction in a protected forest area.
He is alleged to have destroyed about 13 hectares of land within the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve. After listening to arguments from both the prosecution and the defense, the court granted Wontumi GH₵10 million bail with two sureties—one required to justify the bail with landed property.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General, cite violations under the Minerals and Mining Act, the Forest Protection Act, and the Criminal Offences Act. The accused persons are alleged to have conducted illegal mining, felled trees, and erected unauthorized structures in a protected forest without the necessary permits.
Count One: Undertaking a Mining Operation Without a Licence
Akonta Mining Company Limited is accused of operating a mining concession at Samreboi in 2022 without a valid licence from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, contrary to Section 99(2)(a) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995.
Count Two: Undertaking a Mining Operation Without a Licence
Chairman Wontumi and Kwame Antwi (who is currently at large) allegedly conducted mining activities as owners and directors of Akonta Mining Company Limited within the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve without authorisation.
Count Three: Undertaking a Mining Operation Without a Licence
The company’s General Manager, Edward Akuoku, and Operations Manager, Kwadwo Owusu Bempah (also known as Sly and currently at large), are accused of similarly engaging in unlawful mining activities within the forest reserve.
Count Four: Felling Trees in a Forest Reserve Without Written Authority
Akonta Mining Company Limited is alleged to have felled over 300 merchantable trees and several saplings in the forest without official approval, in violation of Section 1(1)(a) of the Forest Protection Act, 1974 (NRCD 243), as amended by Act 624.
Count Five: Abetment of Unauthorised Felling of Trees
Wontumi and three others are accused of aiding and abetting the unlawful cutting of trees, contrary to both the Forest Protection Act and Section 20(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Count Six: Erecting Buildings in a Forest Reserve Without Written Authority
Akonta Mining Company Limited is further charged with constructing buildings and other structures inside the forest reserve without prior written permission, contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of NRCD 243, as amended.
Count Seven: Abetment of Unauthorised Erection of Buildings in a Forest Reserve
Wontumi and his co-accused are alleged to have facilitated the construction of unauthorized buildings within the forest reserve without approval from the relevant forestry authorities.
Earlier, Chairman Wontumi had been granted GH₵1 million bail with two sureties in a related case, which he fulfilled before being released pending trial