The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted GH₵15 million bail with three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed properties, after being charged for allegedly assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval.
The Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Kocuvie-Tay, imposed strict bail conditions, including the deposit of all passports with the court registrar and the placement of Wontumi’s name on an immigration stop list at all entry and exit points.
The sureties are also required to submit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses, while the court directed that investigators file monthly compliance reports directly to the judge.
READ: Chairman Wontumi, 2 others charged over Akonta Mining’s involvement in galamsey
Under the bail terms, Chairman Wontumi is to report to investigators on the first and third Monday of every month, pending the completion of investigations into allegations that he and two others unlawfully assigned mineral rights and facilitated unlicensed mining operations through Akonta Mining Company Limited.
Wontumi was charged alongside Kwame Antwi, a director of Akonta Mining (who is currently at large), and the company itself.
The trio faces six counts, including assignment of mineral rights without approval and facilitation of unlicensed mining operations, contrary to provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995 (2019).
According to the charge sheet filed by Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine, police operations in Samreboi in April 2025 led to the arrest of 29 individuals within Akonta Mining’s concession and the retrieval of multiple firearms, gold pieces, excavators, vehicles, and cash totaling GH₵157,000.
The court has given the prosecution three weeks to file all disclosures, with the next hearing scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
