Wontumi galamsey trial ends, judgment set for July 3

Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, has announced that the illegal mining trial involving Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others has come to an end.

In a post on social media on Wednesday, June 3, he stated that the accused persons in the case, THE REPUBLIC v BERNARD ANTWI-BOASIAKO & 2 OTHERS, called their fifth and final witness, who was subsequently discharged from the witness box.

According to him, that development marked the conclusion of the entire trial, with the court now set to deliver judgment on July 3, 2026.

“The Accused Persons in the case – THE REPUBLIC v BERNARD ANTWI-BOASIAKO & 2 OTHERS – called their 5th and last witness today. The witness was discharged from the witness box a while ago. That brought the entire trial to an end. The judge has scheduled July 3 for judgment,” he wrote.

Chairman Wontumi and his company have been standing trial over allegations that he unlawfully allowed mining activities on his Samreboi concession without the necessary authorisation.

Prosecutors allege that one Henry Okum conducted mining operations on the concession and used proceeds from the activity to undertake reclamation works on degraded portions of the land.

The prosecution had earlier argued that evidence on record linked Wontumi to Okum’s activities, while also questioning the absence of proof of payment for reclamation works, which could suggest that mining rights were effectively granted.

The defence, however, maintained that under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and L.I. 2176, a lease holder is allowed to engage service providers without transferring mineral rights.

The High Court had earlier given the defence up to May 28 to file additional witnesses, warning that failure to do so would close their case and move proceedings to final judgment.

The court has now fixed July 3, 2026, for judgment in the matter.

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