A government official has announced that State Attorneys have formally closed the Republic’s case against Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman WOntumi, and two co-accused persons — Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large, and Akonta Mining Limited — in an ongoing illegal mining (galamsey) prosecution.
In a Facebook post dated February 4, the official stated that the prosecution called four witnesses to support allegations that Chairman Wontumi allowed individuals to conduct illegal mining on his Samreboi concession without the required ministerial approval. According to the post, one witness, described as a galamsey headman, testified that he supervised several people who carried out illegal mining activities on the concession after being arrested at an Akonta Mining office.
A second witness, identified as the headman’s employer, reportedly told the court he had an arrangement with Chairman Wontumi to conduct mining activities and land reclamation on the concession. The witness also alleged that political influence was used to secure national security protection for the operations.
The third witness, a police detective, tendered investigative statements, including one in which Chairman Wontumi allegedly admitted granting part of the concession for land reclamation purposes only, not for illegal mining. A fourth witness, a mining law expert, testified to the court that any transfer or shared use of a mining concession requires ministerial approval, which Akonta Mining did not possess.
Defence lawyers have informed the court of their intention to file a submission of no case, arguing that the prosecution has not presented sufficient evidence to require the accused to open a defence. They have been given 14 days to submit their arguments, while State Attorneys have indicated they will oppose the application.
