Court Rejects Wontumi’s Bid to Delay Judgment
High Court dismisses application as incompetent, clears way for judgment in illegal mining case
By Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku | GhanaianNewsCanada | Accra, Ghana | July 20,2026
The Accra High Court has dismissed an application filed by lawyers for Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, seeking to postpone judgment in his ongoing illegal mining case, ruling that the application was incompetent.
The decision clears the way for the court to proceed with judgment in the criminal case involving the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman and Akonta Mining Company Limited, which faces allegations of conducting illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve at Samreboi.
The application had been filed by Wontumi’s new lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, who requested additional time to review court records and prepare written submissions after taking over the case from former lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi.
However, the court found no legal basis to grant the request, describing the deferment application as incompetent and allowing proceedings to continue.
Long-Running Mining Case
The criminal trial stems from allegations that Akonta Mining Company Limited carried out mining operations within a protected forest reserve without the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
According to the prosecution, the company allegedly continued mining activities despite being denied permission, resulting in environmental damage within the reserve.
Both the prosecution and defence have already presented their evidence, with the case now awaiting final judgment.
Legal Team Changes
The application followed changes to Wontumi’s legal representation after Mr. Appiah-Kubi withdrew from the case earlier this year.
His replacement, Mr. Atta Akyea, argued that additional time was needed to study the certified record of proceedings before judgment was delivered.
The prosecution opposed the request, contending that it was an attempt to delay the administration of justice after the trial had already concluded.
Judgment to Proceed
With the deferment application dismissed, the High Court is expected to proceed with judgment in one of Ghana’s most closely watched illegal mining prosecutions.
The outcome is expected to have significant implications for the government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as authorities continue efforts to protect the country’s forest reserves and water bodies.
