By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The High Court in Accra has granted bail to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known in political circles as Chairman Wontumi, in the sum of Ghc15 million with three sureties, two of whom must be justified with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The Judge, presiding over the case, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, granted the bail on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, after hearing arguments from Wontumi’s lawyer, Mr. Andy Appiah-Kubi, and the Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai.
Chairman Wontumi, the first accused and owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited, pleaded not guilty to charges of facilitating unlicensed mining and assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval.
The charges are linked to alleged illegal mining activities in Samreboi in the Western Region in 2024.
Counsel for Chairman Wontumi, Mr. Appiah-Kubi, urged the court to grant bail, insisting that his client posed no flight risk and would cooperate fully with investigations.
However, Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Srem-Sai, while not opposing bail, asked the court to impose stringent conditions given the gravity of the charges and the accused’s financial capacity.
“Gold mining is a capital-intensive business, and by their own admission, the accused is a man of substance. It is common knowledge that persons of substance are often greater flight risks,” Dr. Srem-Sai argued.
He added that Wontumi had been uncooperative during investigations and only reported himself to the police after the Attorney General’s intervention, despite prior invitations.
The prosecution also raised concerns over the second accused, Kwame Antwi, who remains at large. Dr. Srem-Sai noted that Wontumi, a co-director of the company, had failed to provide any information on his partner’s identity or whereabouts.
In granting bail, Justice Kocuvie-Tay imposed the following conditions:
A GHC 15 million bail bond.
Three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Deposit of all passports with the court registrar.
Placement on the immigration stop list at all entry and exit points.
Sureties must submit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses.
Wontumi must report to investigators on the first and third Monday of every month.
Investigators must submit monthly compliance reports directly to the judge.
The court also gave the prosecution three weeks to file disclosures.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 28, 2025.
