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The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi was dragged to court yesterday for two separate trials over allegations of undertaking mining without permission from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

The first trial borders on allegations the NPP official permitted other individuals to undertake mining on his Akonta Mining concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without a written approval from the Minister.

The second case involves allegations Wontumi, his company and others unlawfully entered and undertook mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve without legal authority.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was granted a total of GHS25 million bail by both courts with three sureties.

Wontumi was rearrested after the first proceeding had ended and hauled before another court, where he had to wait for about two hours before the case was called.

He is facing a minimum of 15 years in prison and up to 25 years if found guilty of the charges levelled against him.

Facilitating Mining Offence

In the first trial, Wontumi has been charged with one count of assignment of mineral rights without approval, and another count of purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by Section 3 of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

His company, Akonta Mining and another person identified as Kwame Antwi, who is on the run, have been charged with the same offences.

His lawyer, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi pleaded with the court to grant him bail pending trial, telling the court that his client is not a flight risk.

He said the accused has cooperated with the police and has promised to submit himself at all material times for the trial.

Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai did not oppose the grant of bail but told the court to take into consideration the fact that gold business is capital-intensive and it is common knowledge that persons of substance are more flight risk than persons without substance.

He told the court that mining without licence is the biggest challenge of the country at the moment, and given the severity of the sentence, ‘if the bail conditions are not properly determined, an accused person who has the means, and in this case, the owner of almighty Akonta Mining, will be motivated to flee rather than face the law.’

In respect of the sureties and the amount of money for bail, Dr. Srem-Sai prayed that ‘the amount be such that should the accused not be found again, it would be enough to at least reclaim the damages that have been caused to the land.’

The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, granted Wontumi bail of GHS15 million with three sureties, two of whom must be justified with landed property within the jurisdiction.

He is to deposit his passport(s) with the registrar of the court. The court has also placed him on the Stop List at all entry points of the country.

The prosecution’s brief fact indicates that the police had arrested Michael Ayisi Gyasi, a 50-year-old and 28 others within Akonta Mining’s concession in Samreboi on April 17, 2025, following an operation.

During the arrest, the police retrieved several items, including eight (8) pump action guns, one (1) single-barreled gun, five (5) pieces of metal suspected to be gold concealed in a sachet, four (4) machetes, several water pumping machines, 310 AAA/BB cartridges, and one (1) grease gun.

Others include four (4) motorcycles, two (2) vehicles, 25 serviceable excavators, four (4) non-serviceable excavators and GHS157,000 cash.

The prosecution says it will pray the court at the end of the trial, for a forfeiture order in respect of all items of value retrieved from the concession.

Forest Reserve ‘Encroachment’

Wontumi, his company and three others have been accused of causing ‘extreme environmental destruction, including the devastation of approximately 13 hectares of land,’ in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve with illegal mining activities.

The facts state that despite his company having licence to mine, its application to mine in the forest reserve was refused in August 2022. That notwithstanding, the company allegedly undertook the mining activities.

‘To provide housing for the teeming number of persons working for it, A1 (Akonta Mining) put up several makeshift structures across the Forest Reserve,’ the facts allege.

The court, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, granted Wontumi and Edward Akuoko a bail of GHS10 million each with three sureties each, one of whom must be justified with landed property.

They were ordered to deposit their travel documents with registrar of the court and report to the investigator once every other week.

The case was adjourned to November 4, 2025, while the prosecution was ordered to file and serve disclosures before then.

Tension is mounting in Manso Nyakomase, a community in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, as residents have vowed to resist what they describe as an illegal and unauthorised land reclamation exercise being undertaken on their small-scale mining site without their approval.

The residents, made up of small-scale miners, youth groups, and traditional leaders, say the move is a deliberate attempt by some faceless individuals to seize control of their community’s mining concession under the pretext of reclamation.

At a press conference on Monday, the spokesperson for the community, Mr. Sarkodie Dominic, disclosed that some unidentified persons had tried to bring in heavy-duty machinery, including excavators, to commence reclamation activities without consulting the rightful landowners.

‘This land belongs to families and individuals within Manso Nyakomase. It is not state-owned and does not fall within any forest reserve or government concession,’ Mr. Sarkodie stated. ‘We are still working on our sites, and no one has the right to reclaim our land until our mining activities are over.’

He further stressed that the residents are responsible miners who are mindful of environmental protection, and have already planned to reclaim the land themselves once mining operations are completed.

The visibly aggrieved residents have issued a three-day ultimatum to those behind the alleged takeover to remove all machinery from their site or face stiff resistance from the community.

Several residents who spoke to the media expressed outrage over what they termed a calculated move to dispossess them of their livelihoods. They accused some local leaders of secretly negotiating with outsiders to allow the exercise, warning that such acts of betrayal would not be tolerated.

‘We are not against reclamation, but it should be done fairly and with our full involvement,’ one resident said. ‘We depend entirely on mining for survival, and any attempt to take our land without consent is a direct attack on our lives.’

The residents have appealed to the District Chief Executive for Amansie South, Benjamin Marfo, and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to intervene immediately to prevent the issue from escalating into a violent confrontation.

They also urged the ministry to investigate the alleged illegal reclamation attempt as well as bring the perpetrators to book, to ensure peace and fairness in the area.

Meanwhile, tension remains high in Manso Nyakomase as residents continue to resist what they describe as an ‘unlawful and unjust’ attempt to take over their concession. The community maintains that while it supports responsible reclamation, it will not allow any individual or group to exploit the process for personal gain.

Twelve (12) suspects who were recently arrested for their alleged engagement in illegal mining activities along the Takoradi-Nsuta Rail Line have been remanded into police custody.

The suspects, who have allegedly caused significant damage to portions of the Takoradi-Nsuta Rail Line, were remanded by the Tarkwa Circuit Court.

The 12 suspects are to reappear before the court on October 21, 2025.

The names of the suspects were given as – Dennis Adom, Alex Kofi Acquah, Kwame Simon, Isaac Arhin, Larri Koku, Lambon Moyisi, Ali Asoma, Nurudeen Kobina, Jude Azumah, Yendari Mombe, Jonathan Ayamdor, and Daniel Combat.

They have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, undertaking mining operations without a licence, and causing unlawful damage.

The court did not take the plea of the accused persons. The docket of the case has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for advice.

The arrest of the suspects followed a tip-off about illegal mining activities along sections of the rail line, which had disrupted rail operations and raised safety concerns.

Meanwhile, the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson has commended the security agencies for their swift action and said the arrests marked a renewed effort to protect critical public infrastructure.

He added that his office had directed the Ghana Railway Company to inspect the entire stretch of the Takoradi line to identify and prevent similar activities elsewhere.

‘Until people are prosecuted and the public sees the consequences, illegal mining will persist. We must act decisively to secure our rail lines,’ he indicated.

Some of the residents in the area have also indicated that the arrest and subsequent remanding of the suspects underscore government’s efforts to curb illegal mining operations in the community.

A long-standing chieftaincy dispute between two communities-Butre and Asemko-all in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region turned bloody yesterday when the youth in the two communities clashed.

The disturbances claimed the life of one John Quaocoe, believed to be the brother of the Butre chief, and left many others injured.

The deceased was butchered with a cutlass by some members of the feuding factions.

Property worth thousands of Ghana cedis were destroyed and several houses set ablaze in the mayhem.

According to information gathered, the Asemko community has been under the rule of the Butre chief for so many years.

However, recently the Asemko community claimed that it had gained its freedom and so has the right to install its own chief, which created confusion between the two communities.

It was gathered that early yesterday morning, the youth in the two communities, wielding guns and machetes, attacked themselves, leading to the death of the Butre chief’s brother.

Most of the residents, particularly the women, had to run from their various homes to nearby bushes, making the communities ghost towns.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that, so far, no arrest has been made, but those who got injured as a result of the clash were sent to the hospital.

The paper also learnt that the police are currently in the communities to maintain peace.

The 2026 Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Challenge Prize (GSTEP) has been officially launched, with schools in the Volta Region set to participate in the challenge for the very first time.

This year’s challenge which is under the theme, ‘Curiosity to Impact: STEM Without Borders,’ has expanded to the Volta Region in a major step toward making practical Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education accessible to more students across Ghana.

The virtual launch, hosted via Zoom and streamed live on Facebook, brought together teachers, students, and STEM stakeholders.

This year’s Challenge builds on the successes of previous editions held in the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Ashanti Regions, which have seen over 30,000 students, 2,000 teachers and 500 schools benefit from hands-on STEM experiences.

It is implemented by a consortium of four organisations: DreamOval Foundation (lead implementor), Partnership Bureau (partnerships and sponsorships), Shulem Lake (resources and materials), and Practical Education Network (mentorship and coaching).

The GSTEP Challenge operates in partnership with the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education and is funded by the Fondation Botnar.

Executive Director of the DreamOval Foundation, Afua Oforiwaa Asiamah Adjei, said the expansion to the Volta Region makes it possible for even more young innovators to be part of this life-changing journey.

‘This expansion brings us closer to our vision of making GSTEP a truly national platform where every child, no matter where they come from, can access the opportunities and skills that STEM education provides,’ she said.

Founder of GSTEP, Constance Agyeman, reflected on the programme’s progress and its growing national impact.

‘Last year alone, over 1,000 innovative ideas were submitted by students who used STEM to address local challenges – from clean energy and sustainable farming to smart city innovations.’

Lead for Partnership and Alliance at Partnership Bureau, Francis Ahene-Affoh, noted that ‘Over the years, we have witnessed incredible solutions and inventions from technology that improves innovations that support agriculture, aquaculture, road traffic management, education, and climate resilience.’

He added that these ideas prove that given the right platform, young junior high students are capable of transforming curiosity into real impact.’

Applications for the 2026 GSTEP Challenge are open to Junior High Schools in Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti, and Volta regions. Interested school can register via www.gstep.org.gh to apply.

The Taskforce of Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has arrested six people, including two foreign nationals, for engaging in an illegal gold transaction without the required licence.

The suspects, who have been identified as American citizen, Smart Philander; Moroccan national, Nina Elfseky; and four Ghanaians namely Nana Yaw Sarpong Boateng, Sowa Elisha, Evans Arhin, and Arnold Otutey, were apprehended after an intelligence-led operation at the SSNIT Emporium, near Marina Mall in Accra.

According to a statement from the GoldBod, the arrest followed several weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering by the Taskforce.

The group was caught attempting to purchase and assay 2.1 kilograms of gold valued at about GHS2.2 million without the necessary authorisation required under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

During the operation, the Taskforce officers reportedly found gold refining equipment in the possession of the American suspect, further confirming their intention to refine gold unlawfully within the country’s jurisdiction.

The six have since been arraigned before the Accra High Court on multiple charges, including conspiracy to engage in gold trading without a licence, illegal gold trading and assaying, and attempting to refine gold unlawfully – offences contrary to Sections 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 26(1) of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

GoldBod said the arrests form part of its ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal gold trading and to safeguard the integrity of the nation’s gold marketing regime.

‘These arrests highlight our firm commitment to enforcing the laws regulating Ghana’s gold sector. Only licensed entities are permitted to trade, assay, or refine gold in the country,’ the GoldBod statement stated.

The Board has cautioned both local and foreign nationals that any involvement in gold trading, assaying, or refining without proper authorisation is a criminal offence punishable by law.

The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

A TOTAL of 110 foreign nationals, identified as both Cameroonians and Ivorians, are in the custody of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service after they were rescued through anti-human trafficking operation yesterday.

The foreign nationals, who are victims of a suspected Qnet scam operation at Kuntunse Satellite in the Greater Accra Region, were said to have been lured into the country with promises of lucrative employment opportunities. However, upon arrival, they were subjected to exploitative conditions under the guise of network marketing.

The early morning operation was conducted following weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering by the police. The victims have since been taken into protective custody as investigations continue to identify the perpetrators and dismantle the network behind the scheme.

According to police sources, initial findings indicate that the suspects used Qnet, a controversial online business platform, as a cover to recruit and exploit unsuspecting individuals from other West African countries.

The CID has assured the public of its commitment to intensifying the fight against human trafficking and transnational scam operations, urging citizens to be cautious of fraudulent job offers, especially those requiring upfront payments or recruitment through unverified agents. Authorities say efforts are underway to locate and arrest key members of the criminal syndicate believed to be operating across several regions.

It’s worth noting that Qnet has been accused of operating a pyramid scheme in various countries, including India, Ghana, and Indonesia, with allegations of misleading participants about the ease and returns of the business.

It would be recalled that some 76 Ghanaian victims of human trafficking linked to Qnet were rescued from Nigeria. Seven Ghanaian suspects were arrested in Nigeria, while two suspects from Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso were arrested in Ghana.

Director-General of the CID, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, addressing journalists about Qnet operations, revealed that the company has been using fraudulent recruitment schemes to lure victims into human trafficking.

According to COP Donkor, Qnet’s operations in Ghana were dissolved by an Accra High Court in July 2022 due to deceptive practices akin to a Ponzi scheme.

She stated that victims, including young men and women, are promised lucrative jobs, football contracts, or visa assistance, only to have their mobile phones and travel documents seized upon arrival in Nigeria. They are then forced to contact family members in Ghana to solicit money under pretenses.

COP Donkor emphasised that those involved in such criminal activities will be prosecuted under Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Act and the Criminal Code. She urged the public to be cautious of job offers or travel opportunities that seem too good to be true, especially those requiring upfront payments or unverified arrangements.