The Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, announced that the charges against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako—commonly known as Chairman Wontumi—and his company, Akonta Mining, have been finalised and signed. Dr. Ayine stated that Mr. Boasiako is required to report to Accra on Monday, October 6, 2025, for the reading of his charges. He warned that failure to comply would result in his arrest.
This announcement was made during President John Dramani Mahama’s engagement with civil society organisations regarding illegal mining in Accra on Friday, October 3. Dr. Ayine emphasised, “The charges against Wontumi and Akonta Mining have been signed. He must be here on Monday. If he does not come by then, I will order his arrest, and the charges will be read to him.”
This development comes amid ongoing investigations into the operations of Akonta Mining. The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, earlier confirmed that investigations are ongoing and noted that at least one other individual connected to the company has already been arrested.
She explained that Chairman Wontumi had engaged with investigators on several occasions but had recently delayed further appearances due to illness, a claim supported by his lawyer. DCOP Donkor stressed that “the investigations are actively ongoing” and assured the public that the final outcome would be communicated. The CID had also arrested and taken statements from a business associate of Mr Boasiako, identified as Akuoko, in connection with the matter.
Chairman Wontumi was first invited by the CID on May 26, 2025, and appeared in the company of his legal counsel, former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, and former Asante-Akim North MP Andy Appiah-Kubi.
He has consistently denied any involvement in illegal mining. Speaking on his TV station, Wontumi TV, he said: “I want to tell the public that I am not into galamsey. I have a large-scale company, which Akonta Mining is under… All the required documents I have, I will make all available.”
He added that he was prepared to cooperate fully with investigations. “I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work,” he said.
Source: GraphicOnline
