Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) Case Breakdown

An Accra Street Journal Legal & Current Affairs Intelligence Brief

Executive Summary

Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for illegal mining offences. The Accra High Court delivered the landmark judgment on July 20, 2026, finding him guilty on two counts related to the unlawful assignment of mineral rights and facilitating unlicensed mining operations on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region .

The conviction comes amid a separate, ongoing GH₵30 million fraud case involving the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, where plea negotiations are currently underway .

Part 1: The Samreboi Illegal Mining Trial — Sentencing and Conviction

The Sentence

Sources: ASJ

The court imposed two separate 20-year sentences but ordered them to run concurrently, meaning Wontumi will serve a total of 20 years. Akonta Mining Limited, the company associated with Wontumi, was also convicted and fined 15,000 penalty units on each count .

The Charges and Convictions

The court convicted Wontumi on two of the six counts :

Sources: ASJ

The Facts of the Case

The Allegations:

• In 2024, Wontumi, as the owner and controlling director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, allowed two individuals — Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi — to undertake mining operations on the company’s Samreboi concession.

• The arrangement was made without obtaining prior written approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources .

• The prosecution argued that this constituted an unlawful assignment of mineral rights and facilitated unlicensed mining.

The Defence:

• Wontumi testified that his arrangement with Henry Okum was strictly for land reclamation and coconut plantation activities, not mining .

• He denied authorising anyone to mine on the concession.

The Court’s Findings:

• Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ruled that the prosecution had proven all elements of the offences beyond reasonable doubt .

• The court rejected the defence’s argument that Okum was only engaged for land reclamation, holding that Wontumi personally facilitated illegal mining by introducing Okum to someone who helped him acquire an excavator for mining activities .

• The court held Wontumi personally liable for the offences committed through the company .

The Failed Legal Maneouvre

Just before the judgment was delivered, Wontumi’s legal team made a last-minute application to:

1. Delay the judgment pending the return of lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea from abroad.

2. Refer constitutional questions to the Supreme Court regarding the interpretation of Section 14(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) .

The Court’s Response:

• The application was dismissed as incompetent and moot .

• The court held that Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act was clear and unambiguous and did not conflict with Article 19(11) of the 1992 Constitution .

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

The convictions were secured under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) , as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 995) , which increased penalties for illegal mining-related offences .

Part 2: The EXIM Bank Fraud Case — Ongoing Plea Negotiations

Wontumi is facing a separate, ongoing criminal case involving the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank .

The Allegations

Sources: ASJ

The Prosecution’s Case:

• Wontumi Farms Limited applied for a multi-million cedi facility from EXIM Bank in 2018 to undertake a large-scale agricultural project.

• The application claimed that the company had secured a 100,000-acre parcel of land for the proposed farming venture .

• Investigators found that the proposed farming activities were never carried out; no agricultural machinery was purchased and the land was never acquired .

• A document submitted as proof of machinery purchase was allegedly altered — the inscription “Pro-forma Invoice” was replaced with “Receipt” before it was submitted to the bank .

• More than GH¢14 million was disbursed, and portions of the funds were allegedly diverted into personal use and unrelated business investments .

Plea Bargain Initiation

Wontumi initiated plea negotiations under Section 162C of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079) .

What Is a Plea Bargain?
A plea bargain allows an accused person to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a reduced sentence. The agreement must be approved by the court after the Attorney-General assesses factors such as the strength of evidence, recovery of state funds, and public interest .

Current Status:

• The statutory 30-day period for concluding plea negotiations is ongoing .

• No agreement has been reached yet between the prosecution and the defence .

• The case has been adjourned to July 27, 2026, for an update on the plea discussions .

• Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has confirmed: “I can confirm that we have not reached a plea agreement yet” .

Co-Accused

• Thomas Antwi-Boasiako (co-accused) remains at large .

Part 3: Legal Framework and Penalties

Illegal Mining Offences (Minerals and Mining Act, 2006)

Sources: ASJ

Fraud and Financial Offences

Under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), charges such as defrauding by false pretence, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body carry significant custodial sentences upon conviction.

Part 4: Timeline of Events

Quick Reference: Key Facts

Last Updated on July 20, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

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