‘You cannot rule out that Wontumi was one major galamsey kingpin’ – Elikem

Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has said it would be inaccurate to exclude Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, from the list of major figures involved in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

He noted that information gathered over the years points to Wontumi’s extensive involvement in the illegal mining network.

Speaking on Joy Prime’s Prime Insight programme during discussions on President John Dramani Mahama’s engagement with civil society organisations (CSOs) on galamsey, Mr. Kotoko said evidence suggests that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had a wide network of mining operations under his control.

“You cannot rule out that Wontumi was one major kingpin who was having a lot of tributaries. So that is one big shot you are trying to take down,” he stated.

Mr. Kotoko also criticised former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for consistently defending individuals accused of illegal mining, including Chairman Wontumi, without allowing due investigations to take place.

“You saw how he always rushed to the defence of these people without any thorough investigation,” he said, arguing that such political interference weakened the fight against galamsey.

He added that these acts of protection created loopholes that allowed the illegal mining industry to thrive. “Those were the things that should have allowed somebody to realise that this was rather what is called an enabler of the enterprise,” he explained.

Mr. Kotoko further urged that the national effort against galamsey must confront political complicity head-on if the government’s renewed campaign under President Mahama is to yield lasting results.

Akonta Mining, a small-scale mining Company, has disclosed that Chairman Wontumi, its bankroller, 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.