Akonta Mining Operations Manager Granted GH¢10 Million Bail in Illegal Mining Case

An Accra court has granted bail in the sum of GH¢10 million to Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, with three sureties, one of whom must be justified.

Mr. Owusu Bempah is the fifth accused person in an ongoing trial involving Akonta Mining and three others, including the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. The case centres on alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

Although earlier reports suggested that Mr. Owusu Bempah was on the run, his lawyer, Andrew Vortia, told the media that his client voluntarily presented himself to the police about three weeks ago. He was subsequently granted police enquiry bail but was re-arrested on Monday, January 12, 2026, for failing to report as required.

Appearing before the court on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Mr. Owusu Bempah pleaded not guilty to charges of engaging in mining operations without a licence, abetting the unauthorised felling of trees, and abetting the unauthorised construction of structures within the forest reserve.

The prosecution maintains that Akonta Mining holds valid mining concessions at Samreboi and Abekoase in the Western Region, both located outside the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. However, an application by the company to mine within the reserve was rejected. Prosecutors allege that despite this refusal, Chairman Wontumi unlawfully entered the reserve, felled trees, and put up structures without authorisation.

According to the charge sheet, Chairman Wontumi, described as a shareholder representing Akonta Mining, and Edward Akuoko, the company’s General Manager, were arrested and arraigned before the court. Kwame Antwi, another shareholder, and Mr. Owusu Bempah were initially declared at large. While Mr. Owusu Bempah has since been arrested, Kwame Antwi remains at large.

Meanwhile, in November 2025, the state informed the court of its decision to withdraw charges against Edward Akuoko and to use him as a prosecution witness. The prosecution has also indicated plans to amend the charge sheet to formally remove Mr. Akuoko as an accused person.