Wontumi Case: Akonta Mining Operations Manager granted GH¢10m bail

The Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, has been granted bail of GH¢10 million with three sureties, one of which must be justified.

He is the fifth accused in the case involving Akonta Mining, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Benard Antwi-Bosiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi and Edward Akuoko over alleged illegal mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

Owusu Bempah was previously reported at large but later voluntarily presented himself to police about three weeks ago.

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He was initially granted bail but was subsequently re-arrested on January 12, 2026, for failing to report as required.

At his court appearance on January 14, 2026, he pleaded not guilty to charges including mining without a licence, abetting illegal tree felling and abetting unauthorised erection of structures within the forest reserve.

The Wontumi Saga: A multifaceted investigation with international connections

The prosecution alleges that although Akonta Mining has legal concessions outside the forest, their application to mine within the Tano Nimiri Reserve was rejected.

Despite this, Chairman Wontumi allegedly entered the forest and conducted activities without authorisation.

Three accused,Chairman Wontumi, Edward Akuoko, and one other were arrested and arraigned.

Kwame Antwi remains at large, while Edward Akuoko’s charges have been withdrawn, and he is now a prosecution witness.

JKB/AM