CHAIRMAN WONTUMI FILES DEFENCE IN ILLEGAL MINING TRIAL, TO CALL MIREKU DUKER AS WITNESS
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has filed witness statements to open his defence in the ongoing illegal mining-related trial over activities on the Akonta Mining concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.
Chairman Wontumi is expected to call former Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, as one of his defence witnesses when the case resumes before the High Court on May 14, 2026.
According to his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, the defence has filed three witness statements from Chairman Wontumi himself, George Mireku Duker, and Wisdom Edem Gomashie.
The defence team has also submitted several supporting documents, including the Akonta Mining lease agreement, correspondence to the Regional Security Council, and cautionary statements.
The court was informed that Wisdom Edem Gomashie will be the first defence witness to testify when proceedings resume next week.
Chairman Wontumi and his company are facing six charges, including allegedly permitting mining activities on the concession without ministerial approval and facilitating illegal mining operations contrary to Ghana’s mining laws.
