The Ashanti Regional Communications Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Kwabena Yandoh, has criticized the high bail conditions set for the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who faces charges related to illegal mining activities.
Chairman Wontumi is charged by the State for allegedly assigning mineral rights without proper approval, specifically over involvement in galamsey activities linked to Akonta Mining in the Tano-Numuri forest area.
The court has imposed a bail condition of GH₵10 million, a figure Yandoh has described as excessively harsh.
In an interview with the media, Yandoh questioned the severity of the bail amount, stating, “The court says he has mined in the Tano-Numuri forest, so Wontumi’s bail is GH₵10 million, which is 100 billion old cedis. For just one person facing these issues, is Chairman Wontumi the one who killed Jesus Christ? Even the Roman soldiers who killed Jesus were not given such conditions.”
He further expressed sympathy for Wontumi’s situation, saying, “He is a human being going through a lot, and you can see it from his face. This is not something we expected to happen.”
Yandoh also highlighted perceived double standards in enforcement, referencing another prominent figure in the mining sector, Ibrahim Mahama.
“Ibrahim Mahama is doing the same. About a month ago, we saw them celebrating with champagne at a party because the Black Volta was given to Ibrahim Mahama, President Mahama’s brother, to mine gold,” he said.
He questioned the rationale behind banning mining activities in water bodies when permits are allegedly granted selectively.
“Is the Black Volta a mountain like Afadjato? No, it’s a river. So, are some waters more valuable than others? If mining in water bodies is prohibited, why then does someone get permission to mine gold in the Black Volta? This clearly points to animosity directed specifically at Chairman Wontumi.”
Background:
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been charged by the State for allegedly assigning mineral rights without approval.
Mr. Boasiako has been charged together with Kwame Antwi, a Director of Akonta Mining, and Akonta Mining, the company itself.
Per the Charge Sheet filed on Monday, October 6, 2025, Chairman Wontumi and the two others are facing a combined six charges, with each facing two counts.
The charges comprise three counts of assignment of mineral rights without approval, contrary to Section 14(1) and Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Section 3 of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995), and another three counts of purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Section 3 of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).
Chairman Wontumi is currently before the High Court in Accra to respond to the charges.
BRIEF FACTS
Per the brief facts of the case, as filed on October 6, signed by the Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, the 1st Accused Person (A1), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, alias WONTUMI, a 49-year-old entrepreneur, is a native of Kuntanase in the Ashanti Region.
On paper, he is one of the two shareholders and one of the two directors of Akonta Mining Company Limited – the 3rd Accused Person (A3).
According to the Charge Sheet, Akonta Mining Company was incorporated on November 5, 2010, with “mining and exploration” as its object and principal business activities.
While Tarkwa is listed as its principal place of business, it operates mainly in the Samreboi area.
The Charge Sheet stated that the 2nd Accused Person (A2), Kwame Antwi, is at large and is listed as the other shareholder and director of Akonta Mining (A3).
Chairman Wontumi stated in both his police charge statement and investigative caution statement that he never saw or heard of Kwame Antwi since 2010 after they completed the company registration and other registration formalities.
Investigations have established that Chairman Wontumi (A1) alone has since exercised absolute control over Akonta Mining Company’s (A3) activities.
Further investigation is ongoing to establish the existence and, if so, the identity of Kwame Antwi (A2).
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
