The Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has disclosed that charges against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako widely known as Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining, have been finalized and endorsed.
He stated that Mr. Boasiako has been instructed to appear in Accra on Monday, October 6, 2025, for the charges to be formally presented. Dr. Ayine cautioned that failure to comply with the directive would lead to his arrest.
Addressing civil society groups during President John Dramani Mahama’s meeting on illegal mining in Accra on Friday, October 3, Dr. Ayine declared: “The charges against Wontumi, Akonta Mining, have been signed. He should be here on Monday. If he doesn’t come by Monday, I will order his arrest, and his charges will be read to him.”
This announcement comes amid continuing investigations into Akonta Mining’s activities. The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, earlier confirmed that inquiries were ongoing and revealed that another individual linked to the company had already been detained.
According to DCOP Donkor, Chairman Wontumi had met with investigators on several occasions but had recently postponed further appearances, citing ill health—a claim corroborated by his lawyer. She emphasized that “the investigations are actively ongoing” and assured the public that the findings would be made known once concluded.
The CID has also arrested and taken statements from a business associate of Mr. Boasiako, identified as Akuoko, in relation to the case.
Chairman Wontumi was first summoned by the CID on May 26, 2025, when he appeared alongside his legal representatives, former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame and former Asante-Akim North MP Andy Appiah-Kubi.
He has repeatedly denied any involvement in illegal mining. Speaking on his television channel, Wontumi TV, he insisted:
“I want to tell the public that I am not into galamsey. I have a large-scale company, which Akonta Mining is under… All the required documents I have, I will make all available.”
He further pledged his readiness to cooperate fully with the authorities, adding:
“I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work.”
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