Accra, July 20, GNA – An Accra High Court has sentenced Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years’ imprisonment in hard labour for purposely facilitating unlicensed mining on a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.
The court also fined Boasiako, an entrepreneur and Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), GHS120,000 or, in default, three years’ imprisonment.
Akonta Mining Company Limited, the third accused in the case, was fined GHS180,000.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, who presided over the case, ordered that the custodial and default custodial sentences run concurrently.
The court found Boasiako, whom it described as a de facto mineral rights holder, and Akonta Mining Company Limited guilty on six counts, including assigning mineral rights without the approval of the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources and facilitating unlicensed mining activities.
In passing sentence, the court said it had taken into account the gravity of the offences and the devastating impact of illegal mining on the environment and the country.
It held that despite the laws regulating mining, the accused contributed to environmental degradation.
The court further ordered the confiscation to the State of five single-barrel guns, several water-pumping machines, 24 serviceable excavators, four unserviceable excavators and GHS157,000 seized during a police operation on the concession.
Justice Kocuvie-Tay held that Boasiako had no written agreement with Henry Okoom, a small-scale miner he claimed to have engaged to undertake reclamation works on the concession.
The court said evidence given by Mr Okoom showed that Boasiako did not provide funds for any reclamation exercise.
Rather, according to the evidence, Boasiako instructed Mr Okoom to undertake mining and reclamation, with the understanding that proceeds from the mined gold would finance the reclamation works.
The court accepted that Boasiako did not personally visit the Samreboi concession but ruled that, as the mineral rights holder, he had a duty to supervise activities on the concession.
It also found that he failed to obtain the requisite approval before mining operations commenced, despite having been granted mineral rights by the sector minister.
During the trial, the prosecution called four witnesses, while the defence also called four witnesses.
Earlier, the court dismissed an application seeking to defer judgment in the case.
In mitigation, Mr Charles Boakye, holding brief for Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for Boasiako, pleaded for leniency, saying the convict had no previous criminal record and was a first-time offender.
Counsel also told the court that Boasiako had conducted himself well throughout the trial.
Mr Bernard Owuredu, appearing as a friend of the court, urged the court to consider the numerous businesses owned by Boasiako and the employment they provided for many young people.
He said the collapse of those businesses would adversely affect many employees.
Mr Paul Asibi Abarigah, also appearing as a friend of the court, urged the court to impose the minimum sentence permitted by law.
The prosecution’s case was that Boasiako and Akonta Mining Company Limited permitted Henry Okoom and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to undertake mining activities on the company’s concession without obtaining the prior approval of the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, thereby facilitating illegal mining.
The offences were committed in 2024 at Samreboi in the Western Region.
On April 16, 2025, police conducted an operation on the concession during which cash, excavators and other equipment were seized.
Kwame Antwi, a co-director of Akonta Mining Company Limited and an accused person in the case, remains at large.
GNA
Reporter: Joyce Danso
Email: [email protected]
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage