Owner of Akonta Mining and Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has come out strongly to deny claims that he and his company are involved in illegal mining within forest reserves.
In a bold rebuttal aired on Wontumi FM, Chairman Wontumi addressed recent allegations made by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, insisting that the accusations are completely false.
“I challenge them that this is a lie, I haven’t given anything to anybody, so the best place to go is the court,” Wontumi declared. “Your allegation is not true,” he stressed, maintaining his innocence.
Chairman Wontumi further distanced himself from the controversial mining activities allegedly taking place within the Aboi Forest in the Western North Region.
“I have never worked in the forest before. I am challenging you that it is not true. Anybody claiming to have given me money should come and prove it,” he said firmly.
Speaking to the specifics of the accusations, he continued, “I have never gone there to mine. I have never been to Aboi Forest. I don’t work there. I don’t have licence there. Forestry Commission is responsible for the forest not me so they should be asked.”
His response comes shortly after Minister Armah Kofi Buah held a press conference on April 21, 2025, at which he announced that the Minerals Commission had been directed to revoke Akonta Mining’s mining lease.
The minister alleged that the company was found operating illegally within the Samreboi section of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve despite holding a legitimate lease outside forest reserves.
According to the minister, “Akonta Mining was found operating illegally in the Samreboi enclave of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, selling access to forest lands for GHS 300,000 per concession, and collecting illegal gold royalties.”
He further stated that investigations had uncovered collusion between some forestry officials and security personnel, enabling the degradation of forest lands and water bodies, including the River Tano.
In light of the serious nature of the allegations, the Attorney General has reportedly been briefed for potential legal action.
