Former Western Regional Minister Testifies as Defence Witness in Wontumi Illegal Mining Trial

A former Ghanaian regional minister took the stand as a defence witness on Thursday in the high-profile illegal mining trial involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, popularly known as Wontumi.

Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, who previously served as Western Regional Minister, filed a witness statement and presented a pen drive containing video evidence in support of the defence case at an Accra High Court. Both the statement and the attached digital evidence were formally admitted by the court over objections from the prosecution.

The former minister is the third witness called by the defence team, led by lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi. Boasiako faces charges related to alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region and the unauthorised transfer of mineral rights without ministerial approval.

The case centres on allegations that Boasiako transferred his mining rights to a man identified as Henry Okum without securing the required approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. A co-accused, Kwame Antwi, described as a director, remains at large. Akonta Mining Company Limited has also been arraigned in the matter.

Proceedings were not without contention. Senior State Attorney Nana Ama Prempeh told the court that the prosecution had been served with the defence witness statement only about an hour before the hearing. She further challenged the pen drive evidence, arguing that the video it contained bore no date stamp and did not identify the location where it was filmed.

The trial judge overruled the prosecution’s objection, noting that the defence witness could be cross-examined on the contents of the pen drive during subsequent proceedings. The case has been adjourned to Monday, June 1, when the prosecution will cross-examine Darko-Mensah.

The trial has drawn significant public attention, occurring against the backdrop of Ghana’s broader crackdown on illegal mining, locally known as galamsey. The practice has caused extensive damage to water bodies and forest reserves across the country, prompting successive governments to vow enforcement action. The case also follows the recent arrest of suspects in a fatal shooting at a galamsey site in Gwira Ampansie, underscoring the deadly stakes surrounding illegal mining in the Western Region.

Boasiako, one of the most prominent political figures in the Ashanti Region, has denied all charges and is currently on bail. The outcome of the trial is expected to be closely watched, both for its legal implications and its political significance.

Image Source: GHANA BUSINESS NEWS