AG withdraws prosecution against Akonta Mining’s GM in galamsey case.

The Office of the Attorney-General has withdrawn the prosecution of Edward Akuoko, the 4th Accused and General Manager of Akonta Mining Company, in the ongoing Akonta Mining Company Limited illegal mining case before the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra, after he offered to testify for the State.

A formal Notice of Withdrawal dated November 3, 2025, and signed by the Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, stated that the decision was taken in accordance with Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offenses (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).

“Take notice that the Honorable Attorney-General has, pursuant to Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offenses (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), withdrawn Edward Akuoko, the 4th Accused Person herein, from prosecution in respect of all the charges brought against him in this case,” the notice read.

Mr. Akuoko’s withdrawal follows his willingness to cooperate with the prosecution, providing testimony against the remaining accused persons.

The case, titled The Republic v. Akonta Mining Company Limited & Others, involves five accused persons — Akonta Mining Company Limited, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), Kwame Antwi (at large), Edward Akuoko, and Kwadwo Owusu Bempah (at large). They are facing charges related to alleged illegal mining activities in protected forest reserves in the Western Region.
Charges Summary

1. Akonta Mining Company Limited (1st Accused)
   Represented in court by Chairman Wontumi, the company pleaded not guilty to all counts.

• Count 1: Undertaking mining operations without a license — alleged to have operated in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in 2022 without authorization from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
• Count 4: Felling trees in a forest reserve without authority — accused of illegally felling over 300 merchantable trees and numerous saplings without written permission from the Forestry Commission.
• Count 6: Erecting buildings in a forest reserve without authorization — alleged to have constructed makeshift structures and checkpoints within the forest without official approval.

2. Bernard Antwi Boasiako (2nd Accused)
   Pleaded not guilty to all counts.
   • Count 2: Undertaking a mining operation without a license — charged as co-owner/director of Akonta Mining for allegedly engaging in unlicensed mining in 2022.
   • Count 5: Abetting the unauthorized felling of trees — allegedly facilitated the felling of protected trees in the forest reserve.
   • Count 7: Abetting the unauthorized erection of buildings — accused of aiding the construction of unauthorized structures in the forest.
3. Kwame Antwi (3rd Accused – At Large)
   Co-director of Akonta Mining.

• Counts 2, 5, and 7: Jointly charged with Wontumi for undertaking mining without a license, abetting unauthorized felling of trees, and abetting the erection of unauthorized buildings.
Investigators say efforts are ongoing to trace his whereabouts, as he has yet to participate in company operations.

4. Edward Akuoko (4th Accused)
   General Manager, Akonta Mining.
   • Count 3: Undertaking mining operations without a license — alleged to have overseen illegal mining activities on behalf of the company.
   • Counts 5 and 7: Jointly charged for abetting the unauthorized felling of trees and the erection of buildings.
5. Kwadwo Owusu Bempah (5th Accused – At Large)
   Operations Manager, Akonta Mining.

• Counts 3, 5, and 7: Jointly charged with Akuoko for undertaking unlicensed mining, abetting the felling of trees, and aiding the construction of unauthorized structures