Wontumi Branded 'Critical Culprit' in Tano Nimiri Illegal Mining Trial as Police Detail Control Operations

A key police investigator has testified that Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), the former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, was a central figure in illegal mining operations within the Tano Nimiri Forest, despite not personally operating equipment. The assertion came during cross-examination at the High Court on Monday, October 26, as Wontumi's trial continues to reveal the mechanics of how the alleged scheme was allegedly carried out.

Chief Inspector Eugene Akpo Glover, serving as the prosecution's fourth witness, made clear during questioning by Wontumi's defence counsel that evidence pointed to deliberate orchestration rather than rogue activity by mining agents. According to testimony, Wontumi allegedly instructed agents to erect barriers and signposts in the forest and systematically controlled access to the area between August and September 2022, requiring forest guards and other officials to obtain permission and surrender mobile phones before entering the concession.

The Evidence Trail

The investigator's case rests on a combination of investigative methods that extend beyond witness statements. Chief Inspector Glover cited drone surveillance, site inspections, document analysis, and interviews with multiple witnesses as the foundation for his conclusions. He referenced Wontumi's own caution statement from 2021 and a letter allegedly written by one of the prosecution witnesses to the Western Regional Security Council requesting help to remove illegal miners from the concession.

When challenged by the defence that these conclusions amounted to hearsay, the investigator firmly rejected the characterisation, defending the rigour of Ghana's police investigation unit. However, he acknowledged a notable gap: the alleged head of security who allegedly prevented officials from accessing the forest remains at large and has not been arrested, though video evidence purporting to corroborate the restriction has been submitted to the court.

Why It Matters for Ghana

This case sits at the intersection of several critical issues facing Ghana. Illegal mining, or galamsey, has become a national crisis affecting water bodies, farmland, and forest reserves across the country. The involvement of a high-profile political figure adds a significant dimension—it raises questions about the extent to which persons of influence have allegedly weaponised their position and resources to exploit protected areas with apparent impunity.

The Tano Nimiri Forest, located in the Western Region, is part of Ghana's critical forest patrimony. Testimony revealing that security personnel allegedly restricted access to the area and required officials to surrender communication devices suggests an organised effort to create a controlled environment for mining operations. This pattern—if proven—would indicate not ad-hoc illegal mining but deliberate infrastructure designed to exclude oversight.

For Ghanaians concerned about environmental degradation and the rule of law, the trial's outcome carries symbolic weight. It tests whether Ghana's courts can hold powerful figures accountable and whether investigations into environmental crimes meet the standard of evidence required for conviction. The case also serves as a barometer for public trust in the judiciary and law enforcement agencies during a period when galamsey remains a contentious political and environmental issue.

The High Court adjourned the case to Tuesday, October 27, for continuation of proceedings before Justice Rugby Aryeetey.