The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, risks arrest if he fails to report to the authorities in Accra on today, October 6, 2025.

This was announced by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine.

Chairman Wontumi faces prosecution over his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities linked to Akonta Mining, a company he owned.

According to the Attorney General, his office has completed processes to formally charge Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and five others following investigations that revealed encroachment on forest reserves without the necessary permits.

Addressing civil society organisations at a meeting convened by President John Dramani Mahama at the Flagstaff House in Accra on Friday, October 3, 2025, Dr. Ayine disclosed that the case had been delayed because crucial dockets were concealed under the previous administration.

“I am happy to announce that in 2022, the police conducted a very diligent investigation in terms of Akonta Mining, but the dockets were hidden until we came to power.

It was when I came in and began the investigation with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission, we were finding it difficult to get information on the case.

It was then that the police themselves owned up and presented that docket to my office two months ago,” he revealed.

Dr. Ayine explained that while Chairman Wontumi’s lawyers requested a Tuesday appearance, he had directed that the accused appear on Monday instead.

“As we speak, the charges against Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining and five others have been signed.

Currently, we are waiting for his rights to be read to him, and he has the right to remain silent before he is brought from Kumasi.

“His lawyers asked that he be brought on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, but I insisted that he be here on Monday, October 6, 2025.

If he does not come on Monday, I am going to order his arrest so that he is brought to Accra and then we can start the prosecution,” Dr. Ayine stated.

On April 21, 2025, the John Mahama-led government revoked Akonta Mining’s license after revelations by Lands Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, that the company, though licensed to operate off-reserve, had been engaged in galamsey operations within the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves in the Western North Region.

Officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office on May 27 arrested the New Patriotic Party (NPP)'s Ashanti Regional Chairman on , Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, after he appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service at 3pm.

He was apprehended after leaving the CID headquarters in Accra.

Presently, supporters of the opposition party have massed up at the EOCO office, demanding the release of Wontumi.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman voluntarily made an appearance at the CID headquarters on 26th May alongside his legal team, including former Attorney General Godfred Dame, after an invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

He was cautioned on the following allegations: undertaking mining operations without a license, entering a forest reserve without authorisation and pollution of water bodies.

However, according to sources, Chairman Wontumi denied these claims during his interrogation, presenting documents to authenticate his claims.

He insists he was not involved in any illegal mining activities or operating in any forest reserve.

Following the interrogations, the CID granted him bail with two sureties, though the exact amount has not yet been disclosed.

This followed a failed attempt by a joint team of national security operatives and police officers to arrest him at his residence on May 23.

After the failed search attempt, Mr Boasiako expressed his displeasure over a search that was orchestrated by national security operatives at his residence.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako better known as Chairman Wontumi has arrived at the CID headquarters, following an invitation by the police.

The search comes after Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Buah, ordered the immediate revocation of Akonta Mining’s licenses, citing allegations of illegal mining and other violations.

During the press briefing, he accused the company of being involved in galamsey operations and breaching mining regulations.

Buah also claimed that Akonta Mining was illegally selling mining concessions within the Aboi Forest to unauthorized miners, charging up to GH₵300,000 per concession, with some payments reportedly made in gold royalties.

Akonta Mining Company Limited, owned by Chairman Wontumi, has taken legal action against the Minerals Commission and the Minister of Lands, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, claiming GH₵20 million in damages.

The company alleges that during a press conference on April 22, Minister Buah made defamatory remarks, accusing Akonta Mining of illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

The company has strongly denied these accusations, asserting that its mining leases, which were granted in 2021, cover areas outside of the protected reserve.

The lawsuit, filed at the Accra High Court on April 24, 2025, argues that the minister's statements were false and damaging to its reputation.