The Attorney-General’s Department has revealed that it will depend on four witnesses in the ongoing prosecution of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, commonly referred to as Chairman Wontumi, who is currently on trial for alleged illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession.
Chairman Wontumi faces accusations of permitting mining operations on his concession without the required authorization.
A planned case management conference on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, was unable to proceed due to circumstances in court that necessitated an adjournment.
Earlier that day, the prosecution provided additional disclosures to the defense team, leading defense counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi to request additional time to examine the new documents.
During the proceedings, the court sought clarification from the state regarding the anticipated number of witnesses who would testify.
Initially, prosecutors indicated that five witnesses would be presented, but after Mr. Appiah-Kubi informed the court that he had only received statements from four witnesses, the prosecution adjusted its stance, confirming that it would rely on four witnesses.
Presiding judge Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay subsequently postponed the case to November 27 for the case management conference.
After the proceedings, Mr. Appiah-Kubi spoke to the media, stating that the defense team appreciated the court’s decision to allow more time for reviewing the prosecution’s new disclosures.
He expressed confidence that his client would be exonerated once the trial commences in earnest.
The case has garnered considerable public interest due to Mr. Bosiako’s political stature and the ongoing national discussions surrounding illegal mining, locally referred to as galamsey.
