Former Deputy Lands Minister to testify in Wontumi Samreboi mining case

Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is expected to call former Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr George Mireku Duker, as his second defence witness in an ongoing case before an Accra High Court.

The former Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem is expected to testify and undergo cross-examination by the State in the case involving Boasiako and his company, Akonta Mining.

The two are accused of undertaking mining activities at Samreboi without the required authorisation from the then sector Minister.

At Thursday’s sitting, Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), called his first defence witness, Mr William Edem Gomashie, a mining engineer.

The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, admitted Gomashie’s witness statement into evidence. The statement had been filed before the court on May 5, 2026.

Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General, subjected the witness to more than two-and-a-half hours of cross-examination.

The Deputy Attorney General questioned why Gomashie sought to review mining laws and court decisions by offering what he described as “expert opinion” on issues relating to the case.

Gomashie was also questioned over discrepancies in his witness statement, including errors relating to his date of birth, age, and academic credentials.

The witness told the court that although he knew Boasiako, he had no personal relationship with him.

Gomashie said he developed an interest in the matter to contribute to discussions on mining engineering practice, its relationship with mining laws, and what he described as the tendency of regulators to focus more on multinational mining firms than indigenous companies.

He further stated that he had no knowledge of whether Boasiako documented any permission allegedly granted to Mr Henry Okum, the second prosecution witness, in relation to lease documents.

Gomashie said he had never seen Boasiako in the company of Henry Okum and maintained that a verbal communication or authorisation granted to Okum could not constitute an assignment deed.

He also told the court that he became aware of Okum’s activities through various media publications. However, when asked to provide copies of the publications, Gomashie requested more time, explaining that some of the reports had been viewed on Facebook and TikTok.

The witness stated that he was unaware Boasiako had allegedly authorised Henry Okum to undertake reclamation works on the Samreboi concession.

When asked by the prosecution whether he knew George Mireku Duker, Gomashie responded that he had previously worked with him.

The case has been adjourned to May 19, 2026.

Boasiako and Akonta Mining are accused of permitting Henry Okum to undertake mining activities on their concession without approval from the then sector minister.

They are also facing charges of facilitating unlicensed mining operations.

The accused persons are currently on bail.

Boasiako was ordered to open his defence after the prosecution closed its case. Although he subsequently filed a submission of no case, the court dismissed the application, ruling that he had a case to answer.

Last week, the court held a case management conference to enable the defence to file witness statements for three witnesses.

Source: GNA