ACCRA, Oct 7 (The African Portal) – Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges related to alleged illegal mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve at Samreboi in Ghana’s Western Region.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General, accuse Mr Boasiako and four others, including officials of Akonta Mining Company Limited, of engaging in unauthorised mining activities, environmental destruction, and the illegal felling of trees within a protected forest reserve.
Mr Boasiako appeared before the Accra High Court on Tuesday, hours after he was granted GH₵15 million bail in a separate case involving similar mining-related offences.
After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence, the court granted him GH₵10 million bail with two sureties, one of whom must justify ownership of landed property.
According to prosecutors, the accused persons are alleged to have destroyed 13 hectares of forest land while operating without the required licences.
The seven charges include: Undertaking mining operations without a licence – against Akonta Mining Company Limited and its directors; abetment of unauthorised felling of trees – against Mr Boasiako and three others; and erecting structures in a forest reserve without written authority.
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703), the Forest Protection Act, and the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29).
Mr Boasiako, who had earlier been granted GH₵1 million bail in a related case, has met all bail conditions and remains free pending trial.
The case has been adjourned while investigations continue.
