By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has revealed that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will be arrested if he fails to report to the authorities in Accra on October 6, 2025.
Chairman Wontumi faces prosecution over his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities linked to Akonta Mining, a company he owned.
According to the Attorney General, his office has completed processes to formally charge Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and five others following investigations that revealed encroachment on forest reserves without the necessary permits.
Addressing civil society organisations at a meeting convened by President John Dramani Mahama at the Flagstaff House in Accra on Friday, October 3, 2025, Dr. Ayine disclosed that the case had been delayed because crucial dockets were concealed under the previous administration.
“I am happy to announce that in 2022, the police conducted a very diligent investigation in terms of Akonta Mining, but the dockets were hidden until we came to power.
It was when I came in and began the investigation with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission, we were finding it difficult to get information on the case.
It was then that the police themselves owned up and presented that docket to my office two months ago,” he revealed.
Dr. Ayine explained that while Chairman Wontumi’s lawyers requested a Tuesday appearance, he had directed that the accused appear on Monday instead.
“As we speak, the charges against Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining and five others have been signed.
Currently, we are waiting for his rights to be read to him, and he has the right to remain silent before he is brought from Kumasi.
“His lawyers asked that he be brought on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, but I insisted that he be here on Monday, October 6, 2025.
If he does not come on Monday, I am going to order his arrest so that he is brought to Accra and then we can start the prosecution,” Dr. Ayine stated.
On April 21, 2025, the John Mahama-led government revoked Akonta Mining’s license after revelations by Lands Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, that the company, though licensed to operate off-reserve, had been engaged in galamsey operations within the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves in the Western North Region.
The company has since denied the allegations.
