Court Grants GH¢10 Million Bail to Akonta Mining Operations Manager in Illegal Mining Case.
An Accra court has granted bail in the sum of GH¢10 million to Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, the Operations Manager of Akonta Mining Limited, as legal proceedings continue over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The bail was granted with three sureties, one of whom must be justified, following Owusu Bempah’s appearance before the court on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Owusu Bempah is the fifth accused person in a high-profile case involving Akonta Mining and key individuals linked to the company, including the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. Other accused persons include Kwame Antwi, a shareholder of the company, and Edward Akuoko, its General Manager.
The case centres on allegations of illegal mining operations within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, a protected area where mining activities are strictly prohibited.
Background to Arrest and Re-Arrest
Owusu Bempah was initially reported to be at large after charges were filed. However, his legal counsel, Andrew Vortia, has clarified that his client voluntarily presented himself to the police approximately three weeks ago.
According to the lawyer, Owusu Bempah was subsequently granted police enquiry bail but was re-arrested on Monday, January 12, after allegedly failing to comply with reporting conditions attached to that bail.
Charges and Plea
At his court appearance, Owusu Bempah pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including:
Undertaking mining operations without a licence
Abetting the unauthorised felling of trees
Abetting the unauthorised erection of structures within a forest reserve
The court remanded him briefly before granting bail under the stated conditions.
Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution maintains that Akonta Mining holds valid mining concessions at Samreboi and Abekoase in the Western Region, locations which are outside the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
However, prosecutors told the court that the company’s application to mine within the forest reserve was formally rejected by the appropriate authorities.
Despite this rejection, investigations allegedly reveal that Chairman Wontumi entered the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, where trees were felled and structures erected without authorisation, in violation of forestry and mining regulations.
Status of Other Accused Persons
Chairman Wontumi, described in court documents as a shareholder representing Akonta Mining, was arrested and arraigned alongside Edward Akuoko, the company’s General Manager.
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Two other individuals, Kwame Antwi, another shareholder, and Owusu Bempah, were initially declared at large, according to the charge sheet. While Owusu Bempah has now been arrested and granted bail, Kwame Antwi remains at large.
Key Development: State Withdraws Charges Against General Manager
In a significant development, the state informed the court in November 2025 of its decision to withdraw charges against Edward Akuoko. The prosecution disclosed its intention to use Akuoko as a key witness in the case.
The state has further indicated plans to amend the charge sheet to formally remove Akuoko as an accused person.
Case Continues
The matter has been adjourned as investigations and legal processes continue. The case is being closely watched due to its implications for illegal mining enforcement, environmental protection, and the involvement of high-profile political figures.
