Wontumi placed on stop list after GH₵15m bail; pleads not guilty to 6 mining-related charges

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been placed on a stop list at all entry and exit points of the country after being granted bail in the sum of GH₵15 million by the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra.

This follows six criminal charges filed against him by the Office of the Attorney-General over alleged breaches of Ghana’s mining laws.

Wontumi, who appeared before the court alongside Akonta Mining Company Limited — his firm — pleaded not guilty to all six counts. A second accused person, Kwame Antwi, is currently at large.

Bail Conditions

Under the terms of his bail, Wontumi is to provide three sureties, two of whom must justify with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

He is required to deposit his passport(s) with the Registrar of the court and remains on the stop list at all Ghanaian entry and exit points until the bail conditions are reviewed.

The sureties are also mandated to submit photocopies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses to the court’s Registrar.

Additionally, Wontumi must report to the investigator handling the case on the first and third Monday of every month, with the investigator required to file proof of compliance for the court’s inspection.

The Charges

The six charges against Wontumi, Kwame Antwi, and Akonta Mining Company Limited stem from alleged unauthorised mining operations at Samreboi in the Western Region.

The charges invoke key provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

The offences include:

Assignment of mineral rights without approval – Wontumi is accused of permitting two individuals, Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi, to undertake mining operations within Akonta Mining’s concession without written approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, contrary to Sections 14(1) and 99(2)(b) of Act 703.

Assignment of mineral rights without approval – The same offence is levelled against the second accused, Kwame Antwi, for authorising similar operations.

Corporate liability for unauthorised assignment – Akonta Mining Company Limited is accused of permitting unauthorised mining on its concession.

Purposely facilitating unlicensed mining – Wontumi is alleged to have deliberately facilitated mining activities by unlicensed operators within his company’s concession.

Purposely facilitating unlicensed mining – The fifth count mirrors the fourth, targeting Kwame Antwi for similar conduct.

Corporate facilitation of unlicensed mining – Akonta Mining Company Limited faces this charge for enabling unlicensed mining on its concession.

The Attorney-General’s Office, led by Dr Dominic Ayine, filed the charges on October 6, 2025.

The case is expected to test the scope of both corporate and individual liability in Ghana’s ongoing fight against illegal mining.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.