High Court Bars Chairman Wontumi From Travelling Abroad Over Illegal Mining Case

• Chairman Wontumi has been granted GH¢15 million bail by the High Court in Accra
• He pleaded not guilty to six charges linked to illegal mining filed by Attorney General Dominic Ayine
• The charges stem from a 2024 anti-galamsey operation in Samreboi that led to arrests and equipment seizures
• Nabil Abubakar, a political analyst and a member of Action Movement for Bawumia 2028, shared his views on this in an interview with YEN.com.gh

The High Court in Accra has granted bail to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in the sum of GH¢15 million.

This decision comes after Chairman Wontumi pleaded not guilty to charges related to illegal mining activities filed against him by the Attorney General (AG), Dr Dominic Ayine.

The AG on Monday, October 6, 2025, filed six criminal charges against the NPP's Ashanti Regional Chairman, his company, Akonta Mining, and one other individual identified as Kwame Antwi, a director of Akonta Mining, who is currently at large.

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The charges relate to alleged illegal mining in 2024 at Samreboi in the Western Region.

The charges against Chairman Wontumi

According to the charge sheet, the Attorney General accused Wontumi and his company of allowing two men, identified as Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi, to mine on Akonta’s concession at Samreboi without ministerial approval and without holding a mining licence.

Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi were arrested by the police after a special anti-galamsey operation in April 2025, which led to the arrest of 29 people and the seizure of mining equipment and weaponry.

During the hearing of the Attorney General's case, the court imposed strict bail conditions against the embattled politician.

Below are the bail conditions set by the court:

• Bail bond: GH¢15 million with three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed properties within the court's jurisdiction.
• Travel restrictions: Chairman Wontumi's name will be placed on the immigration stop list at all entry and exit points of Ghana, effectively restricting his travel abroad until the case is concluded. However, he can apply to the court for permission to travel if necessary.
• Reporting requirements: Wontumi must report to the CID investigator twice a month, specifically on the first and third Monday of every month.
• Sureties' requirements: The sureties are required to submit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses.

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The prosecution has been given three weeks to file disclosures, and the next hearing is scheduled for October 28, 2025.

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Reactions to Wontumi's legal battles with the state

Ghanaians on social media have reacted to Chairman Wontumi's legal battles with the state.

YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the comments below:

@madison_ben5 said:

"Even our judges have taken the Galamsey issue serious than the government. We have been told they arrested a number of illegal miners but the media never asked the Lands minister where those arrested are. Our AG is so slow in fighting crime and corruption. Wasted 9 months."

@citizenkodua also said:

"His offences, as discussed in the media, appear quite different from what was filed officially at the courts. I understand why most cases are being prosecuted in the media."

NPP activist reacts to Wontumi's legal woes

Reacting to this in an interview with YEN.com.gh, Nabil Abubakar, a political analyst and member of the Action Movement for Bawumia 2028, stated that the court's decision to restrict Chairman Wontumi's travel was within its legal rights.

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He expressed confidence in Chairman Wontumi's willingness to face charges and clear his name.

This, he noted, demonstrates the NPP’s respect for the rule of law and Ghana’s judicial system.

"The court’s decision to restrict Chairman Wontumi’s travel is within its legal right, and I see nothing wrong with it. Chairman Wontumi has no intention of fleeing; he’s ready to face the charges and clear his name. This demonstrates that, as a party, we, in the NPP, have deep respect for the rule of law and full confidence in Ghana’s judicial system," he said.

Chairman Wontumi appears in court

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Chairman Wontumi appeared in court as his trial began.

The Attorney General accused the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman and his company of violating mining laws

He was initially granted bail of GH₵1 million after reporting to the CID and maintained his innocence through his lawyer.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh