The story of how NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, ended up with a 20-year prison sentence reads like a cautionary tale about power, impunity, and the consequences of cutting corners.
2011 – 2014: Initial Prospecting Licenses:
In June 2011, Akonta Mining was granted a Reconnaissance Licence. When this expired, the company was issued a Prospecting Licence in December 2012 over the same area in Samreboi. These licenses only permit exploration and do not allow for the extraction of minerals
2021 – THE BEGINNING
The government granted Akonta Mining, owned by Wontumi and his brother, a license to mine in a specific area in Samreboi, Western Region.
2022 – THE CONCESSION DEAL
Wontumi allowed his friend, Henry Okum, to enter the same land without any written contract or approval from the Lands Minister. Henry ended up mining there, and police later found excavators, gold, and workers on the site.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 – LANDS MINISTER DECLARES ACTIVITY ILLEGAL
The then Lands Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, issued a statement declaring that Akonta Mining had no license to operate in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. He stated that any alleged activity being undertaken by Akonta in the forest reserve was illegal. The Ministry directed the Forestry Commission to halt the company’s operations immediately.
Hon Samuel Abu Jinapor: “Any alleged activity being undertaken by Akonta in the forest reserve is illegal”
OCTOBER 2022 – GOVERNMENT DESTROYS AKONTA’S STRUCTURES
The government ordered the burning of structures and equipment belonging to Akonta Mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
JANUARY 4, 2023 – PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO’S SURPRISING DEFENCE
A year after the Lands Minister called the activity illegal, then-President Nana Akufo-Addo publicly declared that Akonta Mining was not engaged in any illegal mining anywhere in Ghana. The statement sparked widespread backlash and raised serious questions about political interference.
President Akuffo Addo “Akonta Mining is not engaged in any illegal mining anywhere in Ghana as we speak”
CIVIL SOCIETY PETITIONS BUT NOTHING HAPPENS
Civil society groups, led by Ken Ashibey and the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, filed petitions to the government, the Attorney General, and the IGP concerning Akonta Mining’s activities. Nothing was done for years.
THE TWO STORIES IN COURT
When the case finally went to trial, two very different narratives emerged.
According to the government’s story, Wontumi gave Henry the concession to mine illegally, which is why he got rich from it.
Wontumi’s story was very different. He claimed that he only told Henry to go and plant coconuts and fix the damaged land, and that he never told him to mine.
WHY THE JUDGE DIDN’T BUY THE “COCONUT TREE” EXCUSE
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay rejected Wontumi’s defence for several reasons.
First, Henry Okum is already a licensed small-scale miner. The judge questioned why he would spend his own money to plant trees for free.
Second, Wontumi admitted that he never asked the Minister for permission.
Third, Henry Okum said under oath that Wontumi told him to mine first, then use the money to do reclamation. This evidence remained intact after cross-examination.
Fourth, no money was provided for reclamation. When the judge asked how Henry was supposed to finance the work, Henry’s answer was clear: by mining.
The judge said Wontumi’s “coconut tree” explanation came too late and didn’t make sense.
THE BIG LEGAL POINT
By law, you cannot hand over your mining license to someone else without the Minister signing off.
The judge also ruled that Wontumi wasn’t just the owner of the company, he was the company. Both he and Akonta Mining were found guilty.
THE IRONY: A LAW HIS OWN GOVERNMENT AMENDED
The NPP government from 2017 to 2019 amended the law, increasing the penalty for illegal mining from a maximum of 3 years to between 15 and 25 years.
The judge picked 20 years out of that range, citing the seriousness of galamsey damage and wanting to warn other powerful people.
Wontumi was caught by a law that was amended by the government he was part of.
THE OUTCOME – JULY 20, 2026
High Court judge Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay sentenced Wontumi to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour and a fine. Akonta Mining was also handed a heavy fine, and all equipment was seized and now belongs to the State.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
Many questions remain unanswered.
Why wasn’t Wontumi prosecuted years ago? The Lands Minister called the activity illegal in 2022, but nothing happened until 2025.
Civil society petitions were ignored. Ken Ashibey confirmed that they presented petitions about Akonta Mining, but nothing was done.
The Attorney General has regularly held press conferences about alleged illegalities of the opposition but has been silent on members of his government accused of similar crimes.
Other politically exposed persons have been named in the fight against galamsey but remain unprosecuted.
BOTTOM LINE IN PLAIN ENGLISH
You cannot lend out government land given to you. Wontumi did. The court said the “I told him to plant trees” excuse did not hold. Now he is facing 20 years. His own government’s law caught him. While justice was served in one case, many questions remain about why it took so long and why others remain untouched
