Akonta mining: Chairman Wontumi will be in Accra on Monday – Ayine

Akonta mining, a small scale mining company has disclosed that Chairman Wontumi, its bank roller will be in Accra on Monday.

Prior to this information from Akonta Mining, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, announced that, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been summoned to Accra on Monday, October 6, 2025.

According to him, the NPP Chairman is expected to answer charges related to alleged illegal mining activities by his company, Akonta Mining Limited.

The Attorney General disclosed this at the stakeholder engagement on illegal mining at the Jubilee House in Accra on Friday.

Dr. Ayine also indicated that formal charges have been filed against Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and five others after the police handed over a previously hidden docket.

“In 2022, the police conducted very diligent investigations in respect of Akonta Mining. But the docket was hidden until we came to power… two months ago, the police themselves presented the docket to my office. So as we speak, the charges against Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and five others have been signed.

“His lawyers asked that he should be brought on Tuesday, but I’m insisting that he should be here on Monday. If he doesn’t come on Monday, I’m going to order his arrest so that he’ll be brought to Accra, his rights will be read to him, and then we can start the prosecution,” the Attorney General stated.

According to the Attorney General, special measures are being put in place to fast-track the prosecution process.

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has called for the prosecution of officials from Akonta Mining Company following the revocation of their mining lease.

This comes on the back of a directive to the Minerals Commission to immediately revoke the license of Akonta Mining for engaging in acts that not only flout the country’s mining regulations but are also criminal.

Speaking at an emergency press conference on Monday, April 21, 2025, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah-Buah, described Akonta Mining as a ‘criminal syndicate’ that has allegedly sold portions of the Tano Nimri Forest to illegal miners, contrary to the country’s mining laws.

“I have authorized the Minerals Commission to take steps to revoke the lease of Akonta Mining Co. Ltd with immediate effect,” he said.

“We gathered a team of investigators to go undercover to make enquiries about the details of this operation. Our undercover team uncovered a well-oiled machinery of destruction: One Mr. Ayisi (a representative of Akonta Mining) is the liaison on these dealings – he serves as the gatekeeper, negotiating fees and granting illegal access.

“The concessions are then subleased to individuals like one ‘Mr. Henry’ and another individual identified as ‘Shark’ who are to oversee the devastation of the Aboi Forest Reserve and the Tano River.

Speaking on TV3’s New Day programme, Mr. Kpebu said the Lands Minister’s bold move to revoke the lease is a step in the right direction.

The legal practitioner added that the move must be followed by decisive action to hold those responsible accountable.

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He stated that prosecution is essential to deter others from engaging in similar illegal activities.

“If we set an example with Chairman Wontumi, it will send a strong message to others who think they are untouchable,” he said.