The High Court in Accra has found Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi‑Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, guilty on all six charges linked to unlawful mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie‑Tay, sitting at the Criminal Division of the High Court, ruled that Mr Antwi‑Boasiako breached provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, by unlawfully assigning mineral rights and deliberately enabling unlicensed mining operations.
The judgment concludes one of Ghana’s most politically sensitive galamsey prosecutions, given Mr Antwi‑Boasiako’s senior role in the NPP and his public prominence.
The court determined that as owner and managing director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, Mr Antwi‑Boasiako permitted mining on the Samreboi concession without the mandatory approval of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. Justice Kocuvie‑Tay held that he sanctioned operations by Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi without the written authorisation required under Section 14(1) of Act 703, and further facilitated mining by individuals lacking ministerial licences, contrary to Section 99(2)(b).
The six charges covered Mr Antwi‑Boasiako, Akonta Mining Company Limited, and Kwame Antwi, who remains at large. They include:
- Assignment of mineral rights without approval against Bernard Antwi‑Boasiako.
- Assignment of mineral rights without approval against Kwame Antwi.
- Assignment of mineral rights without approval against Akonta Mining Company Limited.
- Facilitating unlicensed mining operations against Bernard Antwi‑Boasiako.
- Facilitating unlicensed mining operations against Kwame Antwi.
- Facilitating unlicensed mining operations against Akonta Mining Company Limited.
Each offence carries a potential sentence of up to 25 years’ imprisonment. Sentencing has yet to be delivered.
Mr Antwi‑Boasiako, who pleaded not guilty when arraigned on October 7, 2025, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. The case stemmed from a special police anti‑galamsey operation in Samreboi on April 16 and 17, 2025, which led to the arrest of Michael Ayisi Gyedu and 28 others. Excavators, firearms, suspected gold, and cash totalling GH¢157,000 were seized.
Deputy Attorney‑General Dr Justice Srem‑Sai led the prosecution, presenting four witnesses, including Okum, Ayisi Gyedu, a mineral law expert, and a police investigator. Okum testified that he sought permission from Mr Antwi‑Boasiako in September 2024 to mine on the concession and was granted approval. Minerals Commission legal officer Joseph Iroko confirmed that no records existed of any ministerial authorisation for the concession transfer.
After the prosecution closed its case, the court dismissed a “no case” submission by the defence, ruling that sufficient evidence had been established. Mr Antwi‑Boasiako later testified, insisting that Okum had only been engaged for land reclamation and a coconut plantation project, not mining. Defence witnesses included former Deputy Lands Minister George Mireku‑Duker and former Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko‑Mensah.
The Republic has also filed for forfeiture of the seized excavators, firearms, vehicles, and GH¢157,000 cash. The court will rule on the forfeiture application before sentencing.
Mr Antwi‑Boasiako and the other accused retain the right to appeal at the Court of Appeal and, subsequently, the Supreme Court.
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