Accra: The Accra High Court has postponed the illegal mining trial involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as 'Chairman Wontumi,' to April 30, 2026. The trial concerns allegations against Boasiako for illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
According to Ghana News Agency, Edward Akuoko, the General Manager of Akonta Mines and initially a co-defendant with Boasiako, has been recast as a prosecution witness after the Attorney General withdrew charges against him. Akuoko is expected to provide his testimony when the trial resumes.
Boasiako, who is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is accused of unauthorized entry and mining operations within the forest reserve. During the latest court proceedings, the Attorney General summoned Akuoko as a witness. However, Justice Ruby Aryeetey postponed his testimony following a request from the defense for more time to review newly submitted documents.
Senior State Attorney Nana Ama Prempeh, representing the prosecution, informed the court about an additional exhibit that had been filed, which was initially overlooked. The court granted the request for more time, thus deferring the case to April 30, 2026, to hear Akuoko's evidence-in-chief.
Initially, Akuoko faced several charges, including conducting mining activities without proper licensing, aiding the illegal cutting of trees, and facilitating unauthorized construction within the forest reserve. However, these charges were dropped, and he now serves as a key witness for the prosecution.
The prosecution has previously stated in court that Boasiako, along with Akonta Mining Company and other parties, were responsible for significant environmental harm in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. The damage allegedly spanned approximately thirteen hectares of land due to illegal mining activities. Despite holding a mining license, the company was reportedly denied permission to operate in the reserve in August 2022 but allegedly proceeded with mining operations regardless.