The trial involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has officially concluded, with the Accra High Court scheduling July 3, 2026, to deliver its final judgement.

The closure of the trial follows months of intense legal battles between state prosecutors and the political figure over alleged breaches of Ghana’s mining regulations.

The end to the final trial was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon by the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai.

In a public update shared via his official social media platforms, Dr. Srem-Sai revealed that the defence team successfully wrapped up its case.

“The accused persons in the case – The Republic v Bernard Antwi-Boasiako & 2 others – called their 5th and last witness today,” the Deputy Attorney-General revealed.

“The witness was discharged from the witness box a while ago. That brought the entire trial to an end. The judge has scheduled July 3 for judgement,” the Deputy Attorney-General stated.

The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, brings down the curtain on a trial that has heavily captured national attention.

Background of the Legal Battle

The case stems from state-led charges filed against Chairman Wontumi, Kwame Antwi (a director of Akonta Mining), and Akonta Mining Company Limited.

The state leveled six criminal counts against the accused persons, primarily centered on, unauthorized assignment of mineral rights, allegations that the defendants assigned mining concessions without the mandatory ministerial approval.

Also, facilitating unlicensed operations, an accusations of permitting unauthorized mining activities on their Samreboi concession.

The trial advanced to the defence stage earlier this year after the Accra High Court dismissed a “submission of no case” filed by Wontumi’s legal team.

In that ruling, the court maintained that the Attorney-General’s office had established a strong prima facie case, legally compelling the politician and his firm to open their defence.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

The Supreme Court has dismissed a suit filed by IMANI Africa challenging the President’s constitutional authority to appoint and remove heads of Ghana’s security agencies.

The Court, presided over by Justice Gabriel Pwamang, ruled that the case lacked merit and dismissed all the reliefs sought by the policy think tank.

It also clarified the constitutional and statutory provisions governing appointments within the various security services.

Reacting to the ruling, a representative of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil said the organization was informed that the court had distinguished between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of Prisons, and other security service heads such as those of the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana National Fire Service.

According to him, IMANI Africa’s position was that all the security service heads are public servants protected under Article 191 of the Constitution and should be treated equally under the law.

However, he said the Supreme Court ruled that the IGP and the Prisons Service leadership are special cases and should be treated differently from the heads of the other security agencies.

“In a sense, what we asked for, they haven’t given us. But they’ve decided what to give us and that’s what they explained to us,” he said.

He noted that the Court’s reasoning appeared to be based on considerations of state security and the President’s role as head of the country’s security apparatus, although IMANI Africa said it was still seeking greater clarity on the basis of the decision.

The ruling brings to an end the legal challenge over the President’s powers to appoint and remove heads of Ghana’s security agencies.

By: Jacob Aggrey