State Closes Case Against Chairman Wontumi, Two Others In Tano-Nimire Illegal Mining Trial
The prosecution has closed its case in the trial involving Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve.
Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, announced the development in a Facebook post on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, stating that state prosecutors and investigators from the Ghana Police Service had completed presenting the prosecution’s evidence.
The prosecution called three witnesses, comprising two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a police detective, to support its case against the accused persons.
According to Dr Srem-Sai, the two former employees gave evidence linking Mr Antwi-Boasiako to the alleged illegal mining operations in the forest reserve.
“The two former employees testified to Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako’s deep involvement in Akonta Mining Company’s illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve.”
He said the police detective also presented audiovisual materials and official communications to support the accounts given by the former employees.
“The Police Detective tendered in evidence drone footages and other audiovisual materials and official communications in support of the testimonies of the two former Akonta Mining Company employees.”
Dr Srem-Sai further stated that the accused persons had used the cross-examination of prosecution witnesses to deny involvement in mining activities in the reserve.
“The Accused Persons have, through cross-examination of our witnesses, sternly sought to dissociate themselves from every mining activity in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve.”
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court to allow the first prosecution witness to return to the witness box for further cross-examination.
The court directed the defence to file a formal application by Friday, October 30, for the witness to be recalled. The matter has been adjourned to November 4, 2026, for the court to hear the application.
The case concerns allegations of illegal mining in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve without the required authorisation from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. The allegations remain subject to determination by the court.
