Wontumi Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison Over Akonta Mining Illegal Mining Case

The High Court in Accra has sentenced Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years in prison on each of two counts in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case.

The sentences will run concurrently.

In addition, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on Wontumi for each count.

Akonta Mining Company Limited was also convicted on two counts and fined 15,000 penalty units for each count.

The court found Wontumi guilty on Count One and Count Four, while Akonta Mining was found guilty on Count Three and Count Six. Justice Kocuvie-Tay ruled that the prosecution had proven all essential elements of the offences beyond reasonable doubt.

*Court Dismisses Bid To Delay Judgment*

The ruling came after the court dismissed a last-minute defence application seeking to defer judgment and refer constitutional questions to the Supreme Court.

The application, filed on July 16, 2026, argued that issues raised in the defence’s written address required interpretation by the apex court.

But Justice Kocuvie-Tay held that Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) was clear and did not conflict with Article 19(11) of the 1992 Constitution. Citing _R v. Mainkankan_, she said referrals were only necessary where genuine ambiguity existed.

“The issue raised by counsel is that Parliament ought to have legislated differently. That is not a matter for constitutional interpretation,” the judge said.

*Unlawful Assignment Of Mineral Rights*

On Counts One and Three, the court found that Akonta Mining assigned its mineral rights without approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay said the prosecution proved that the company held the rights, that they were dealt with, and that no ministerial approval was obtained. She noted the accused admitted no approval was received.

The judge rejected the defence’s claim that Henry Okum was only allowed to reclaim degraded areas. Based on Okum’s testimony, the court said he was permitted to mine unworked portions of the concession and use proceeds to fund reclamation. The judge described Wontumi’s explanation that Okum would recover his investment through future coconut farming as “an afterthought.”