A former General Manager of Akonta Mining has told the High Court in Accra that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, instructed them to mine in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

Edward Akwasi Ekuoko, testifying as the first prosecution witness, said Chairman Wontumi gave the directive despite the absence of the required mining permits.

Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, Kwame Antwi, and Kwadwo Owusu Bempah have been charged for allegedly undertaking illegal mining activities in the forest reserve in the Western Region. They have pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail.

Akonta Mining is also facing charges of felling trees in a forest reserve without written authority and erecting structures without the required approval, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Forest Protection Act, 1974 (NRCD 243), as amended.

Chairman Wontumi is personally facing two counts of abetting the unauthorised felling of trees, contrary to the same law and Section 20(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Witness Testimony

In his witness statement, adopted by the court on Thursday, April 30, 2026, Ekuoko said Chairman Wontumi (the second accused) instructed them to carry out mining operations in the forest reserve.

“After some months, A2 asked us to move into another area to continue our mining,” he told the court.

“That area was in the Aowin District, near Enchi, in the Western North Region. It was a forest reserve—the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.”

Ekuoko said he questioned the legality of the directive.

“I knew from experience that we required permits and licences to mine in such areas. I asked A2 whether we had that authorisation, since I did not intend to do anything illegal,” he said.

According to him, Chairman Wontumi assured him that approval had been secured.

“He told me to proceed, saying he had spoken with the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and that the Minister was aware.”

Ekuoko said he later discovered that the so-called permit was not a valid mining licence.

“It was only a no-objection letter from the Forestry Commission in response to a request by the Minister. It was not a mining permit. We began mining in the reserve regardless,” he stated.

Following the adoption of his statement as evidence-in-chief, counsel for the accused persons, led by Andy Appiah-Kubi, began cross-examining the witness.

Brief Facts of the Case

The prosecution stated that Akonta Mining Company Limited, the first accused, was incorporated in Ghana on November 5, 2010, with its principal place of business listed as Tarkwa, although its operations are mainly in Samreboi.

The second accused, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, is a shareholder and director of the company. The third accused, Kwame Antwi, is listed as a co-shareholder and director but is currently at large. Investigations suggest that Chairman Wontumi has exercised full control over the company’s operations.

Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, the fifth accused and operations manager of the company, is also at large.

A former accused person, Edward Akuako, has been dropped from the case after agreeing to testify for the prosecution.

Investigations and Findings

Investigations began after multiple petitions were submitted to the Ghana Police Service over alleged illegal mining activities by the company in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

Although Akonta Mining secured mining leases in July 2022 for concessions in Samreboi and Abekoase, outside the forest reserve, its application to mine within the reserve was rejected in August 2022.

Despite this, investigators found that the company entered the reserve and began operations without the required permits.

A Forest Range Supervisor later discovered at least six excavators inside the reserve, all branded with the company’s logo. The number reportedly increased to over 40 within weeks.

The company is also alleged to have constructed unauthorised structures, checkpoints, and accommodation facilities within the reserve.

These activities reportedly caused significant environmental damage, including the destruction of about 13 hectares of land along the Tano River, the felling of hundreds of trees, and severe pollution of the river ecosystem.

Confrontation with Authorities

On August 17, 2022, officials from the Forestry Commission, accompanied by media personnel and representatives of Samartex Timber and Plywood Limited, visited the site.

They arrested some workers and seized equipment, including water pumps and metal pipes.

However, while leaving the site, the team was reportedly blocked by armed personnel linked to the company, who demanded the release of the seized equipment.

The prosecution said the team was only allowed to leave after surrendering the equipment.

Further investigations are ongoing.