Akonta Mining case: Wontumi re-arrested

Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been re-arrested shortly after securing a GH₵15 million bail.

The bail, granted by the Accra High Court, required three sureties, two of whom must justify their status with landed properties.

Despite meeting these conditions, Wontumi was reportedly re-arrested moments later by officers pursuing a separate case against him.

According to media sources, he is currently responding to new charges at the High Court in Accra.

The earlier case, filed on Monday, October 6, 2025, and signed by the Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, accused Wontumi and two others of six counts, three of assigning mineral rights without approval and three of facilitating unlicensed mining operations.

These offenses are contrary to Sections 14(1) and 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995 of 2019.

According to the charge sheet, Wontumi, 49, is a co-founder and director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, incorporated on November 5, 2010, with mining and exploration as its principal business.

While the company lists Tarkwa as its business address, its operations are concentrated in Samreboi in the Western Region.

The second accused, identified as Kwame Antwi, is reportedly at large. Wontumi told investigators that he has not seen or heard from him since the company’s registration in 2010, though he has since exercised full control over the firm’s operations.

Police investigations into the company intensified after an anti-galamsey operation in Samreboi in April 2025 led to the arrest of 29 individuals, including Michael Ayisi Gyedu.

Officers recovered eight pump-action guns, one single-barreled gun, 310 cartridges, four machetes, suspected gold, GH₵157,000 cash, motorcycles, vehicles, and 29 excavators, some of which were non-functional.

Prosecutors intend to seek a court order for the forfeiture of the seized items upon the conclusion of the trial.

Meanwhile, investigations are continuing to establish the identity and whereabouts of the missing co-director, Kwame Antwi.

This is the second time Wontumi has been in custody of law enforcement this year.

On May 27, 2025, Chairman Wontumi was arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) soon after he exited the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra.

The arrest followed Wontumi’s cooperation with CID, as he had been summoned for further questioning in connection with allegations of illegal mining, including operations in forest reserves and protected areas without proper authorization.

The following day, May 28, EOCO granted Wontumi bail in the amount of GH₵50 million, with conditions including two sureties who needed to justify their means.

His team reportedly met the bail conditions, including securing sureties. One of the sureties was Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Member of Parliament and former Minister for Food & Agriculture.

He was released from EOCO custody on June 2, 2025. Modern Ghana