In a case where Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is charged with allowing two people to mine on his concession without ministerial permission, the High Court of Ghana in Accra has scheduled March 16, 2026, as the day to decide whether he should begin his defense.
Over claims that Mr. Boasiako, well known as Chairman Wontumi, and his firm, Akonta Mining Company Ltd, permitted Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to mine on the company’s concession without first seeking the sector minister’s permission, the two are currently facing trial.
Among the six charges the Attorney-General has filed against the defendants are allowing the two people to engage in mining operations on the concession without permission and aiding unlawful mining.
The prosecution presented four witnesses throughout the trial to back up its claims.
In a submission of no case to answer at the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, attorneys for the defendants sought the court to acquit and release their clients.
The attorney claimed that the prosecution had not presented enough evidence to support summoning the defendants to present their case in public.
“With all due respect, the prosecution has failed miserably to present a prima facie case against the accused individuals on all six counts, considering the evidence provided by the prosecution and the core elements of the offenses charged.
Counsel argued that “the prosecution’s case suffers from fundamental and fatal deficiencies, both in terms of the absence of evidence on essential elements and in terms of the quality and reliability of the evidence adduced.”
The court is anticipated to decide on March 16 if a prima facie case has been made against the defendants and if they should be required to present their defence.
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