The prosecution has closed its case in the trial of the former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others over alleged illegal mining in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
According to the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the prosecution had called three witnesses to support its case against the accused persons.
“In all, we called 3 witnesses to prove the Republic’s case – two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a Detective from the Ghana Police Service,” he wrote.
According to Dr Srem-Sai, the two former employees testified about Wontumi’s alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in the forest reserve.
“The two former employees testified to Mr Bernard Antwi Boasiako’s deep involvement in Akonta Mining Company’s illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve,” he stated.
He added that a police detective also presented drone footage, other audiovisual materials and official communications to support the testimonies of the two former employees.
“The Police Detective tendered in evidence drone footages and other audiovisual materials and official communications in support of the testimonies of the two former Akonta Mining Company employees,” he disclosed.
Dr Srem-Sai noted that the accused persons had challenged the prosecution’s evidence during cross-examination, seeking to distance themselves from mining activities in the reserve.
“The Accused Persons have, through cross-examination of our witnesses, sternly sought to dissociate themselves from every mining activity in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve,” he wrote.
Following the close of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court to allow him to recall the first prosecution witness for further cross-examination.
The court has subsequently given the defence until Friday, October 30, 2026, to file a formal motion seeking to recall the witness, while the case has been adjourned to November 4 for the court to hear the motion.
Chairman Wontumi is facing the charges alongside four others: the company itself, Akonta Mining Limited; its General Manager, Edward Akuoko; Operations Manager, Kwadwo Owusu Bempah; and a co-director of the company, Kwame Antwi, who, along with Bempah, is currently said to be at large.
The charges stem from illegal mining operations allegedly carried out in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve without authorization of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
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