By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Accra High Court has granted bail in the sum of GH¢10 million to Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, the Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, in an ongoing illegal mining case involving activities in a forest reserve.
Owusu Bempah, who is one of five accused persons in the case, was granted bail with three sureties, two of whom are to be justified. The court also ordered him to deposit his travel documents with the court registry.
He is standing trial alongside the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and others over alleged illegal mining operations at the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region.
The accused persons are facing multiple charges, including undertaking mining operations without a licence, abetting the unauthorised felling of trees in a forest reserve, and aiding the construction of unauthorised structures within the protected area.
Owusu Bempah, who had earlier been declared a fugitive, was arrested on Monday, January 12, 2026, and subsequently arraigned before the court on Wednesday, January 14. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him.
His legal team, led by Andrew Vortia, prayed the court to grant him bail, arguing that their client has a fixed place of abode and had willingly made himself available to the police.
The prosecution informed the court that it intends to amend the charge sheet by removing one of the accused persons who has become a state witness. While the prosecution did not oppose the bail application, it urged the court to impose conditions strong enough to ensure the accused’s appearance whenever required.
After considering submissions from both sides, the presiding judge granted Owusu Bempah bail on the stated terms and adjourned the case to a later date for continuation.
