Wontumi Asked Us To Mine in Samreboi Forest Without License
2 weeks ago
Wontumi Galamsey Trial — Witness Admits He Mined at Samreboi With Chairman Wontumi’s Permission
January 19, 2026
Proceedings continue in the illegal mining (galamsey) trial involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as the second prosecution witness makes key admissions under cross-examination.
The witness, Henry Okum, tells the court he is a small-scale miner but does not hold a valid personal mining licence to operate at Samreboi.
Under questioning by defence counsel Appiah Kubi, Okum admits that although he has mined for about seven years and claims a licence was obtained in 2017, it was not issued in his name. He initially says the licence was in the name of a company called “C34”, described as a community mining entity.
When asked to produce the licence, the witness fails to do so. He later concedes he does not have a mining licence, contradicting his earlier testimony.
The witness maintains, however, that he operated legally because he had permission from Akonta Mining Company Limited, which he says owns the concession.
Okum tells the court that a search at the Minerals Commission showed the land belonged to Akonta Mining, prompting him to approach Chairman Wontumi for approval to mine there.
He confirms he is not a director or board member of Akonta Mining but insists that Chairman Wontumi owns the company.
The witness further discloses that a letter was sent to the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) on Akonta Mining’s letterhead and signed by Chairman Wontumi to facilitate operations at the site.
Although Okum claims to have a copy of the letter, he is unable to produce it in court. The prosecution requests that the document be produced before the close of its case a request the court grants.
On the state of the land, Okum admits the Samreboi concession was already degraded, with several abandoned pits from previous illegal mining activities.
He says Chairman Wontumi informed him of the illegal activities on the land and advised that abandoned pits be filled before mining commenced.
The witness confirms that REGSEC later stormed the site, removed illegal miners, and seized excavators which he admits belonged to illegal operators.
Despite this, Okum insists that Akonta Mining itself did not carry out mining after the security operation and that the concession was handed over to him to work on.
The case has been adjourned to Monday, January 19, 2026.
