Lawyers for former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have notified the court of their intention to recall the first prosecution witness, Edward Akuoko, for further examination in the alleged illegal mining case involving Akonta Mining and the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The move follows the prosecution’s closure of its case after the cross-examination and discharge of its final witness, Chief Inspector Eugene Glover, who is the investigator in the matter.
The court directed the defence to serve the application on the prosecution via WhatsApp by October 30, 2026. The prosecution is expected to respond by November 3, with the motion scheduled for consideration on November 4, 2026.
Akuoko’s Account of Events
Akuoko, who was initially an accused person before becoming a prosecution witness, said in his witness statement that he worked for Wontumi for about 10 years as a public relations officer of Hansol Company Limited before being appointed General Manager of Akonta Mining in late 2021.
He stated that Wontumi offered him a monthly salary of GH¢20,000 and a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 for official duties. According to Akuoko, Wontumi initially told him the company had obtained a mining licence for an area near Asankragua in the Western Region.
He subsequently discovered, according to his statement, that a Forestry Commission letter relied upon by the company was a no-objection letter issued in response to an information request, rather than a mining permit. He nevertheless acknowledged that mining operations took place in the reserve.
Akuoko Admits Role in Site Confrontation
Akuoko also recounted a confrontation on August 17, 2022, involving a group that visited the mining site, including a journalist and representatives of Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited.
He said he went to the site after receiving reports of unusual activity and found that some company logistics had been seized. Akuoko admitted that he angrily demanded the return of the items, forcibly retrieved them, loaded them into his pickup truck and drove away.
Chief Inspector Glover also testified about the incident, alleging that a team of Forestry Commission officials, chiefs, media personnel and Samartex representatives encountered armed men led by Akuoko, who retrieved equipment seized by the team.
The investigator further relied on an undertaking Akuoko signed before the Enchi District Court on January 31, 2023, concerning the removal of mining equipment from the reserve. Akuoko’s statement also referred to the undertaking, which he said he signed before collecting equipment following the release of Chinese partners arrested during a Forestry Commission operation.
