Chairman Wontumi Remains in Custody Despite Bail Grant Over Timing Issues

October 8,2025 

NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, remains in custody despite being granted bail in two separate illegal mining cases due to inability to meet bail conditions in time.

His lead counsel, Alex Appiah-Kubi, disclosed that the bail conditions were made known to them in the evening of October 7, making it difficult to fulfill them under the circumstances. Speaking to newsmen after court proceedings, Mr Appiah-Kubi explained that they secured bail in the morning only to be hit with a second case requiring immediate court appearance.

"We secured a bail and its associated conditions in the morning only to be slapped with another case that we needed to go to court to prosecute. So the charge sheet as was given to us, was around 2 o'clock. The court has just finished the second one and also granted bail. Meeting the bail conditions at the present time will be difficult although we have the sureties. We hope that tomorrow we will complete the process and secure the release of the accused persons," he said.

Mr Appiah-Kubi lamented the use of bail as a punishment against accused persons, stating, "It's becoming too many that accused persons are being subjected to the difficulty in finding value for properties that will secure their bail. It's a national issue that we need to discuss."

Chairman Wontumi had earlier pleaded not guilty to two separate illegal mining charges. In the first case, he pleaded not guilty to assignment of mineral rights without approval and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation. According to prosecution facts, Wontumi permitted Henry Okum, a native of Krobo Odumase, to mine in the concession of Akonta Mining without requisite approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in 2024. He was granted bail of GH¢15 million with three sureties, two to be justified.

In the second case involving activities of Akonta Mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, the embattled NPP chairman pleaded not guilty to mining without a license, abetting unauthorized felling of trees, and abetting unauthorized erection of buildings in a forest reserve. He was granted bail of GH¢10 million with two sureties, one to be justified by Justice Ruby Aryeetey. The court also ordered him to report to investigators twice every month and deposit his passport next week.

Five persons face charges in the second case. Akonta Mining Company Limited is accused of undertaking mining operations without a license in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in 2022, illegally felling over 300 merchantable trees and numerous saplings, and constructing makeshift structures and checkpoints within the forest without official approval.

Edward Akuoko, General Manager of Akonta Mining, faces charges of undertaking mining operations without a license and abetting unauthorized felling of trees and erection of buildings. Two other accused persons—Kwame Antwi (co-director) and Kwadwo Owusu Bempah (Operations Manager)—remain at large, with investigators working to trace their whereabouts.

The case has been adjourned to November 4, by which time the court expects the prosecution to have filed all disclosures and documents for trial.