By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
In a dramatic turn of events, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been rearrested shortly after appearing at the High Court in Accra.
According to reports, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice has filed a second lawsuit against Chairman Wontumi, his company Akonta Mining Limited, and three others for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve without a valid license.
This latest legal action adds to the mounting controversies surrounding Wontumi’s business dealings in the mining sector. The court proceedings revealed that the accused persons were involved in unauthorized mining operations that have caused significant environmental damage in the forest reserve, a protected area under Ghana’s forestry and environmental laws.
Following his appearance, Chairman Wontumi was rearrested and subsequently arraigned before the High Court for the new case. The court has admitted him to a GH¢15 million bail with strict conditions, including the surrender of his travel documents. He has also been placed on a stop list, effectively barring him from leaving the country while investigations continue.
The Attorney General’s latest move signals a renewed effort by the government to clamp down on illegal mining popularly known as galamsey which continues to devastate the nation’s water bodies and forest reserves.
The case has drawn widespread public attention, given Wontumi’s political influence and previous denials of involvement in illegal mining. The High Court is expected to continue hearing the matter in the coming weeks as the state pursues justice for the alleged environmental violations.
