Samreboi Trial: Wontumi jailed for 20yrs with hard labour
High Court Finds Wontumi Guilty
In what appears to be a nail-biting encounter, the Accra High Court has sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour. The High Court has convicted the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, on all six charges brought against him over illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. Chairman Wontumi has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour and fined 10,000 penalty units. If he fails to pay the fine, he will serve an additional 3 years’ imprisonment. The sentences on both counts will run concurrently. The sentence imposed on Akonta Mining was mitigated to the payment of penalty units. Justice Audrey Kocuvie Tay concluded proceedings at 11:40 a.m.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, who presided over the case at the Criminal Division of the High Court, ruled that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Antwi-Boasiako unlawfully assigned mineral rights and deliberately facilitated unlicensed mining operations in violation of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended. The judgment concludes one of Ghana’s most closely watched illegal mining prosecutions because of the accused’s prominent political position within the NPP.
Court’s Findings
According to the court, Mr Antwi-Boasiako, acting as the owner and controlling director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, permitted mining activities on the Samreboi concession without obtaining the mandatory approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
Justice Kocuvie-Tay found that he authorised Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to carry out mining operations on the concession without the prior written ministerial approval required under Section 14(1) of Act 703. The court further held that he facilitated mining activities by individuals who did not possess valid mining licences issued by the Minister, contrary to Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act.
The Six Charges
The charges were brought against Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, Akonta Mining Company Limited and Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large. The six counts include:
Assignment of mineral rights without approval against Bernard Antwi-Boasiako.
Assignment of mineral rights without approval against Kwame Antwi.
Assignment of mineral rights without approval against Akonta Mining Company Limited.
Purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation against Bernard Antwi-Boasiako.
Purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation against Kwame Antwi.
Purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation against Akonta Mining Company Limited.
Each offence carries a maximum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment. But, the court has sentenced him to 20 years
Defence Maintained Innocence
Mr Antwi-Boasiako pleaded not guilty to all charges when he first appeared before the court on October 7, 2025, and consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the trial.
In his testimony, he rejected claims that he authorised illegal mining on the concession, insisting that Henry Okum had only been engaged to undertake land reclamation and establish a coconut plantation project rather than mining activities.
Evidence Presented During the Trial
The prosecution’s case stemmed from a special anti-illegal mining operation conducted by the police in the Samreboi area on April 16 and 17, 2025. The operation led to the arrest of Michael Ayisi Gyedu and 28 others. Authorities seized excavators, firearms, suspected gold materials and cash amounting to GH¢157,000 during the exercise.
Led by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the prosecution called four witnesses, including Henry Okum, Michael Ayisi Gyedu, a minerals law expert and a police investigator. Henry Okum testified that he sought and obtained permission from Mr Antwi-Boasiako in September 2024 to undertake mining activities on the concession. Joseph Iroko, Senior Manager for Legal Affairs at the Minerals Commission, also told the court that official records showed no application or ministerial approval for the assignment or transfer of the concession. After reviewing the prosecution’s evidence, the court dismissed the defence’s submission of no case, ruling that sufficient evidence existed for Mr Antwi-Boasiako to open his defence. The defence later called witnesses, including former Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources George Mireku-Duker and former Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah.
Forfeiture and Sentencing Awaited
The Republic has applied for the forfeiture of all items seized during the anti-illegal mining operation, including excavators, vehicles, firearms and the GH¢157,000 cash recovered from the concession. The court is expected to determine the forfeiture application before proceeding to sentencing.
Although convicted, Mr Antwi-Boasiako and the other accused persons retain the right to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal and, if necessary, the Supreme Court.
Political Implications
The conviction is expected to have significant political consequences for the New Patriotic Party, particularly as Mr Antwi-Boasiako had publicly expressed interest in contesting for the party’s National Chairman position.
The NPP had previously defended him, with General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong stating in October 2025 that the party’s internal assessment found no evidence of wrongdoing. The verdict is likely to intensify national debate over political accountability, enforcement of Ghana’s mining laws and the broader fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
