The Attorney-General has directed the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to report to Accra on Monday, October 6, 2025, to face formal charges over his company’s alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.
Speaking at President John Dramani Mahama’s engagement with Civil Society Organisations on galamsey in Accra on Friday, October 3, Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine said charges against Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited had already been signed.
“The charges against Wontumi, Akonta Mining have been signed. He should be here on Monday. If he doesn’t come by Monday, I will order his arrest, and his charges will be read to him,” Dr. Ayine stated.
The directive follows months of investigations into Akonta Mining’s operations after allegations that the firm was engaged in unlawful mining in forest reserves.
Earlier, the CID Director-General, DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, confirmed that investigations were ongoing and noted that Chairman Wontumi had visited the CID multiple times, though he once failed to appear due to ill health. She further disclosed that another individual, identified as Akuoko, had been arrested in connection with the same case.
Chairman Wontumi first appeared before the CID on May 26, 2025, accompanied by his lawyers, including former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame and ex-MP Andy Appiah-Kubi.
While maintaining his innocence, Wontumi has insisted that Akonta Mining operates as a licensed large-scale company. He has denied involvement in illegal mining, saying, “I want to tell the public that I am not into galamsey. All the required documents I have, I will make available.”
The Forestry Commission had earlier directed Akonta Mining to halt operations, a move that intensified scrutiny of Wontumi’s mining interests.
With the Attorney-General’s latest directive, all eyes will be on whether the NPP chairman complies with Monday’s deadline or risks arrest.
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