The Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has confirmed that charges against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and his company, Akonta Mining, have been completed and signed.
According to him, Mr. Boasiako has been directed to appear in Accra on Monday, October 6, 2025, for the formal reading of the charges. He warned that failure to comply would result in immediate arrest.
“The charges against Wontumi and Akonta Mining have been signed. He should be here on Monday. If he doesn’t come by Monday, I will order his arrest, and his charges will be read to him,” Dr. Ayine said during President John Dramani Mahama’s engagement with civil society organizations on illegal mining in Accra on Friday, October 3.
The announcement follows ongoing investigations into Akonta Mining’s operations. Earlier, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, disclosed that probes were progressing and confirmed that another individual linked to the company had already been arrested.
She added that while Chairman Wontumi had previously cooperated with investigators, he had recently delayed further appearances, citing health concerns—a claim his lawyer also affirmed. Despite this, she assured the public that “investigations are actively ongoing” and that updates would be provided in due course.
The CID has also arrested and taken statements from one of Mr. Boasiako’s business associates, identified as Akuoko, as part of the case.
Chairman Wontumi was first invited by the CID on May 26, 2025, where he appeared with his legal team, including former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame and former Asante-Akim North MP Andy Appiah-Kubi.
He has consistently denied involvement in illegal mining. Speaking on his network, Wontumi TV, he insisted that his company operates legally.
“I am not into galamsey. I have a large-scale company, which Akonta Mining is under. All the required documents I have, I will make available,” he said, pledging full cooperation with investigators.
“I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work,” he added.
