Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has confirmed that Bernard Antwi Boasiako widely known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will be prosecuted over his alleged involvement in illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”
Speaking at a civil society engagement on galamsey with President John Mahama in Accra on Friday, October 3, Dr. Ayine revealed that formal charges have been signed against Chairman Wontumi, his mining company Akonta Mining, and five other individuals.
“As we speak, the charges against Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and five others have been signed. We are now waiting to read him his rights before prosecution can officially begin,” the Attorney-General stated.
He noted that Wontumi has been directed to appear in Accra on Monday, October 6, for the reading of his rights. While his legal team requested to postpone the appearance to Tuesday, Dr. Ayine emphasized that the process must commence without delay.
“If he fails to appear on Monday, I will issue an order for his arrest to ensure he is brought in. Once his rights are read, we will begin the prosecution,” he warned.
Dr. Ayine further disclosed that investigations into Akonta Mining’s activities date back to 2002, but relevant information had been suppressed until the current administration took office.
“When we assumed office, it was extremely difficult to access key documents. Eventually, the police admitted this and submitted the case docket to my office just two months ago,” he explained.
To fast-track proceedings, the Attorney-General announced that the judiciary had been engaged to support the legal process. “We have spoken with the Chief Justice, who has agreed to designate special courts to handle illegal mining cases,” he said.
Additionally, Dr. Ayine revealed plans to introduce a new legal framework to support swift justice in mining-related offenses. Cabinet is set to meet on Tuesday to approve the Public Tribunals Bill, which will be presented to Parliament under a certificate of urgency.
“If passed by December, the new law will establish circuit tribunals with exclusive jurisdiction over illegal mining cases,” he explained. “We will appoint tribunal chairs and panel members and implement strict timelines to prevent unnecessary delays.”
