The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has directed the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to appear before authorities today, Monday, October 6, 2025, for formal charges to be read against him.
This follows allegations linking Chairman Wontumi’s company, Akonta Mining Limited, and five others to illegal mining operations.
Speaking on Friday, October 3, during President John Mahama’s engagement with civil society organizations on illegal mining, Dr. Ayine revealed that investigations into Akonta Mining date back as far as 2002 but were concealed until the current administration took office.
“In 2002, the police conducted diligent investigations in respect of Akonta Mining, but the docket was hidden until we came to power. When we started investigations with the Lands and Natural Resources Minister and the Forestry Commission, we found it difficult to get information,” Dr. Ayine stated.
He disclosed that the police later admitted to withholding the docket and presented it to his office two months ago, allowing the government to move forward with the prosecution.
“As we speak, the charges against Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and five others have been signed. We are ready for prosecution,” he added.
Dr. Ayine further revealed that although Wontumi’s legal team had requested for their client to appear on Tuesday, he insisted that the accused must appear in Accra today.
“If he doesn’t appear today, I will order his arrest so that he will be brought to Accra for his rights to be read and for the prosecution to commence,” he cautioned.
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Source: Frederick Kofi Thompson-Quartey/ATLFMNEWS
