A former General Manager of Akonta Mining has told the High Court in Accra that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, directed them to carry out mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve without the required permits.
The witness, Edward Akwasi Ekuoko, who is testifying as the first prosecution witness, said he initially questioned the legality of the directive, knowing that mining in a forest reserve requires proper authorisation.
According to him, Chairman Wontumi assured the team that approval had been secured through the appropriate authorities, including the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
However, Ekuoko told the court that he later realised the document presented was not a valid mining licence but only a “no-objection” letter from the Forestry Commission.
Despite this, he said, mining activities still went ahead in the reserve.
Charges and Trial
Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, Kwame Antwi and Kwadwo Owusu Bempah have been charged with illegal mining-related offences.
They have all pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail. The company is also facing charges of unlawfully felling trees and putting up structures in a protected forest area without written approval.
Chairman Wontumi is further facing two counts of abetting the illegal felling of trees under Ghana’s laws.
Background and Investigations
Prosecutors say Akonta Mining was granted leases in 2022 to operate in areas outside the forest reserve. However, its request to mine the reserve was rejected.
Investigators say the company still moved into the forest and began operations without the necessary permits.
Officials later discovered several excavators at the site, with the number reportedly increasing over time.
The company is also accused of setting up unauthorised structures and checkpoints within the reserve.
Environmental Concerns
Authorities say the activities caused significant environmental damage, including destruction of land along the Tano River, deforestation, and pollution of the river system.
Incident at the Site on August 17, 2022, officials from the Ghana Police Service and the Forestry Commission visited the site and arrested some workers while seizing equipment.
However, the team was reportedly confronted by armed individuals linked to the company and forced to release the seized items before leaving the area.
Investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
