Illegal Mining Case: State to call witnesses against Chairman Wontumi in January

The state is set to begin calling witnesses on January 12, 2026, in the ongoing trial of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, over alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.

This development follows the successful completion of a case management conference, paving the way for the trial to move into the evidentiary phase.

The prosecution is expected to call four witnesses who will testify and present documents and exhibits in support of the state’s case against Mr Boasiako, who is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party and the owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited.

Presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, ruled that all necessary disclosures have been completed and that there are no outstanding applications before the court. As a result, the court declared that the case is now ready for the presentation of evidence.

“The matter is set for the court to receive evidence,” Justice Kocuvie-Tay stated.

The prosecution will lead its first witness on January 12, with additional hearing dates scheduled for the remaining witnesses.

Chairman Wontumi is facing charges relating to alleged illegal mining and the unlawful assignment of mineral rights without ministerial approval at Samreboi in 2022. He is being tried alongside Akonta Mining Company Limited and a co-director, Kwame Antwi, who is currently on the run.

Mr Boasiako has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is on bail in the sum of GH¢15 million.