On Monday, 20th July 2026, Mr Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka. Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was sentenced to 20 years in prison with hard labour by Criminal Court 4, by Her Ladyship SCJ Audrey Kocuvie-Tay. It was a 59-paged document that she read for over an hour, as was reported in the press. The case was titled CASE NO. CR /0004/2026
THE REPUBLIC
VS.
BERNARD ANTWI BOASIAKO @ WONTUMI
KWAME ANTWI (AT LARGE)
AKONTA MINING COMPANY LIMITED
He was sentenced on two counts. These were :
1. Assignment of Mineral Rights: Transferring rights granted to Akonta Mining Limited to two individuals (Michael Gyedu Ayisi and Henry Okum) without approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
2. Facilitating Unlicensed Mining: Purposefully allowing and enabling unauthorized mining operations on the Samreboi concession, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act.
Fines Imposed: Handed concurrent 20-year prison terms alongside significant financial penalties (including a GH¢120,000 fine with a default three-year prison term).
In the wake of the social media commentary and the judgement that has been passed by Ghanaians, with some for and against his sentencing, a news article concerning a 2023 judgement passed by the Sekondi High Court has surfaced. The article by StatsGh detailed the following:
THE 2023 SAMARTEX VS AKONTA MINES CASE RULING
The Sekondi High Court ruled that Akonta Mining Company Limited committed civil trespass by operating in Samreboi without proper parliamentary ratification and environmental permits. This judgement, delivered on May 19, 2023, found that leases signed by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources do not grant immediate rights to occupy land or conduct mining operations.
The court’s decision highlights that parliamentary ratification under Article 268(1) of the 1992 Constitution is mandatory. Additionally, environmental permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Forestry Commission, as per Section 18(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), are essential. Without these, any entry onto private or stool-leased land constitutes actionable civil trespass, rendering the leases legally invalid.
This ruling is a significant development in Ghana’s natural resource sector, emphasizing the strict legal framework governing mining activities. It underscores the importance of adhering to constitutional and statutory provisions, even when executive agreements are in place. The case involves Akonta Mining, led by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, and Samartex Timber & Plywood Company Ltd.
SAMARTEX, THE COMPANY THATÂ FLOOREDÂ AKONTA MINING
Samartex, a timber manufacturing company in Samreboi, in the Waasa Amenfi West district of the Western Region, holds a 50-year registered deed of lease dating from January 1, 2012, over 1,112.55 acres (450.23 hectares) granted by the Asankragwa Agona Royal Stool. Samartex has established extensive infrastructure on this land, including sawmills, worker bungalows, and a licensed private airstrip. Akonta Mining re-entered Samreboi, relying on two new mining lease agreements executed with the Government of Ghana on July 23, 2021.
Upon entering Samartex’s leased land, Akonta Mining excavated portions of the earth and set up a gold washing plant. They also mounted barricades across private roads built by Samartex and deployed security guards within the 200-metre safety buffer zone of Samartex’s airstrip. These actions severely disrupted local utility lines and led Samartex to sue for declaration of title, recovery of possession, and general damages for civil trespass.
Akonta Mining denied trespass, filing a counterclaim asserting superior mining rights based on its government leases. However, the court affirmed that mineral ownership is vested in the Republic of Ghana, as per Article 257(6) of the 1992 Constitution. It clarified that an executive signature alone cannot grant exploitation rights without parliamentary ratification, a principle reaffirmed in previous cases like Exton Cubic Group Limited.
This judgement serves as a crucial reminder for all mining companies operating in Ghana. It reinforces that unratified leases do not confer absolute rights and that pre-existing surface rights must be respected. The decision will likely influence future investment decisions and regulatory enforcement within the mining sector, ensuring greater adherence to legal and environmental standards.
Stakeholders, including investors and local communities, will closely monitor how this ruling impacts Akonta Mining’s operations and the broader enforcement of mining laws. This case highlights the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law in Ghana’s vital natural resource industries.
Source: Daily Graphic