Accra: Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely recognized as Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, testified in an Accra High Court that Akonta Mining Company Limited has never conducted mining operations on its Samreboi concession.
According to Ghana News Agency, during the hearing of the Samreboi illegal mining case on Thursday, Wontumi initiated his defense by asserting that the company had not filed returns with the Registrar of Companies due to its non-operational status. During cross-examination by Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General, he questioned the necessity of filing returns for a non-active company.
Chairman Wontumi further stated that he was unaware that failing to file returns, regardless of operational status, constituted an offense under the law. He emphasized that he had neither visited the concession site nor authorized any mining activities there.
In his testimony, Wontumi disclaimed ownership of the guns, ammunition, gold, and vehicles seized by the State. He also refuted claims that Akonta Mining Company Limited had permitted Henry Okum, the second prosecution witness, to mine on the Samreboi concession. Instead, he explained that Mr. Okum was contracted for land reclamation activities and to establish a coconut plantation project, with profits to be shared upon maturity.
Chairman Wontumi insisted that if Mr. Okum participated in activities beyond the plantation project, he was not informed. He also denied providing heavy-duty equipment, vehicles, or funds for any illegal mining operations. He clarified that the company had not commenced mining due to the absence of parliamentary ratification.
He reiterated that the main goal of Akonta Mining Company Limited was gold mining, arguing that no significant mining enterprise would invest heavily in concession rights only to delegate them to small-scale miners. Wontumi highlighted instances where unauthorized miners were prevented from operating on AngloGold Ashanti concessions and referenced international practices on illegal mining.
The court was informed that Akonta Mining Company Limited had reached out to the Western Regional Security Council and the Criminal Investigations Department regarding unauthorized mining on its concession. Wontumi expressed ongoing concerns about illegal activities on the site during his testimony.
During cross-examination, Wontumi became emotional as he denied allegations of profiting from concession rights by assigning them to small-scale miners for gold. When questioned about Kwame Antwi, a director of the company described by the prosecution as missing, Wontumi claimed ignorance of Antwi's whereabouts since his departure in 2021.
Addressing the litigation involving Akonta Mining Company Limited and Samartex Timber and Plywood, Wontumi explained that the dispute centered on proposed building locations on the concession. He noted that the court ruled neither entity had received parliamentary approval to begin operations.
The case has been postponed to May 28, 2026, to allow for the submission of defense witness statements for two additional witnesses. Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, the trial judge, warned that failure to submit the statements by the next hearing would be interpreted as the defense having rested its case. Following this, the parties will file their addresses before a judgment date is established.
Earlier, Wontumi presented documents filed on May 5 and 6, 2026, as his primary evidence, which were admitted into the court record. He also submitted the registered lease agreement, communications with the Western Regional Security Council, investigation caution statements, and police statements from other individuals.