State closes case against Wontumi, two others over alleged illegal mining

Prosecution presents four witnesses in Samreboi mining trial as defence prepares to challenge the evidence

The state has closed its case against New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two other accused persons in a trial involving alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.

The prosecution announced the closure on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, after presenting four witnesses before the Accra High Court. The accused persons are Wontumi, Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large, and Akonta Mining Company Limited.

The case centres on allegations that Wontumi and his company allowed other individuals to undertake mining activities on a concession at Samreboi without obtaining the required approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

The prosecution called four witnesses, including a mining headman, his employer, a police detective and an expert from the Minerals Commission, to support its case.

According to reports on the proceedings, the first witness testified that he supervised miners operating on the concession. The second witness reportedly described an arrangement with Wontumi to conduct mining activities and reclaim degraded land.

A police detective subsequently presented investigative statements, including one in which Wontumi reportedly acknowledged granting part of the concession to another person for land reclamation. Wontumi’s position, as reported in the proceedings, was that the arrangement was for reclamation rather than illegal mining.

The final prosecution witness, a Minerals Commission official, testified that the required ministerial approval for the arrangement was not reflected in the Commission’s records. The witness also explained the regulatory requirements governing the assignment of mineral rights and mining activities.

Defence prepares submission of no case Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, counsel for Wontumi indicated that the defence intended to file a submission of no case to answer.

The application would ask the court to determine whether the evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to require the accused persons to open their defence.

The court granted the defence 14 days to file the submission, with the prosecution indicating that it would oppose the application.

The charges against the accused include alleged assignment of mineral rights without approval and facilitating unlicensed mining operations. The allegations remain subject to the court’s determination.

The trial forms part of Ghana’s broader efforts to address illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, and enforce regulations governing the country’s mineral resources.