Akonta Mining Case: Chairman Wontumi Files Defence as Former Deputy Lands Minister Set to Testify

• Chairman Wontumi has filed his witness statements to begin his defence against charges of illegal mining
• His defence team intends to call former Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to testify
• Despite several legal challenges and an ongoing appeal, the High Court is moving forward with the case

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has officially filed witness statements to begin his defence in a high-profile trial concerning illegal mining.

The case centres on activities conducted on his Samreboi concession, located in the Western Region of Ghana

The legal team representing Chairman Wontumi, led by Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed to the High Court on Thursday that they have complied with directives to open their case.

According a pulication by Graphiconline, the trial is scheduled to resume on May 14, 2026, where high-ranking officials are expected to take the stand.

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Former Deputy Minister expected to testify

In a significant development, the defence has disclosed that that George Mireku Duker, the former Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, will be called as a witness.

Mireku Duker is one of three individuals who have submitted statements to support the NPP regional chairman’s case.

Alongside the former Deputy Minister, witness statements have been filed by Chairman Wontumi himself and a third individual, Wisdom Edem Gomashie.

The court heard that Gomashie is slated to be the first person to testify when the proceedings reconvene next week.

To bolster their position, the defence team has submitted a range of documents to the court.

These include the formal lease agreement for Akonta Mining Company Limited, correspondence previously sent to the Regional Security Council, and various investigative cautionary statements.

Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining are currently facing six charges.

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Prosecutors allege that the accused allowed Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to carry out mining operations on the concession without the mandatory approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

Court dismisses Wontumi's application to halt trial

The trial follows a March ruling in which the High Court determined that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, necessitating a formal defence.

Although Chairman Wontumi’s legal team attempted to halt the process through a "submission of no case" application and a subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal, these efforts were unsuccessful.

The specific charges include the assignment of mineral rights without ministerial consent and the facilitation of unlicensed mining activities.

These actions are allegedly in breach of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and its 2019 amendment.

Despite the ongoing appeal regarding the order to open his defence, the dismissal of a stay of proceedings has ensured the substantive trial continues as planned.

Source: YEN.com.gh