Wontumi allegedly appeared emotional and requested for water [This image is AI generated]
Drama unfolded at the Accra High Court on May 21, 2026, as Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), mounted the witness box in the high-profile illegal mining case involving his company, Akonta Mining Limited.
According to a post by @obiMpenaAustine on X, tensions rose during intense cross-examination when Wontumi appeared visibly emotional and at one point requested water from the court.
Court proceedings, which included the presentation of his witness statement and a supplementary statement with supporting documents, were subsequently adjourned to May 28, 2026.
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This adjournment allows the defence time to file additional witness statements ahead of a potential ruling.
Wontumi, testifying as a defence witness for himself and Akonta Mining (the 1st and 3rd accused persons), filed a detailed statement denying all charges.
Key points from his sworn testimony include that he is a 49-year-old Ghanaian entrepreneur and one of the directors and shareholders of Akonta Mining Company Limited.
He stated that the company holds a valid 10-year mining lease (Exhibit G), issued on July 23, 2021, for the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
He categorically denied all six charges, insisting he never assigned mining rights to third parties without ministerial approval.
He admitted granting permission to prosecution witness Henry Okum but said it was strictly for land reclamation and coconut planting on already mined and degraded portions of the concession, not for mineral extraction.
He further denied receiving any financial benefit from mining activities and stated he had no knowledge of unauthorised mining on unmined areas.
According to him, he only assisted Okum in identifying equipment suppliers for reclamation purposes, not for mining operations.
He argued that the prosecution’s case relies mainly on the uncorroborated testimony of Henry Okum and lacks documentary evidence.
He therefore prayed the court to acquit and discharge both himself and Akonta Mining.
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As part of his supplementary statement, Wontumi tendered Exhibit B — a letter dated April 19, 2021, from Akonta Mining Company Limited to the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
In the letter, the company complained about an “influx of illegal miners, mostly Chinese,” operating on its concession in the Wassa Amenfi Municipality.
It highlighted environmental damage to water bodies and the ecosystem, and requested security intervention to arrest the miners, seize equipment, and prosecute offenders.
Background
Wontumi and Akonta Mining are facing charges under the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703 as amended) for allegedly assigning mineral rights without approval and facilitating unlicensed mining (galamsey) activities.
The company maintains it has always operated within the terms of its legal lease.
The court resumes proceedings on May 28, 2026.
COURT UPDATE
— Austine (@obiMpenaAustine) May 21, 2026
Chairman Wontumi mounted the witness box today and cross examination was done in the Samreboi case
At a point, cross examination became so intensive Chairman Wontumi appeared to be crying and asked for water
Case adjourned to May 28 for extra witnesses
1/3 pic.twitter.com/y8B1ZUfGaF
Chairman Wontumi’s witness statement continued
— Austine (@obiMpenaAustine) May 21, 2026
2/3 pic.twitter.com/d4GDmq9fMZ
Exhibit B of Chairman Wontumi’s supplementary statement is this letter Akonta Mining addressed to the REGSEC in Western Region some Chinese invading his legal concession engaging in illegal mining pic.twitter.com/TMcEVW463g
— Austine (@obiMpenaAustine) May 21, 2026
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