Kwaku Azar Defends Prosecution of NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, Cites Court Findings on Akonta Mining
Legal scholar and governance advocate Kwaku Asare has defended the prosecution of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, arguing that the legal proceedings are rooted in court findings rather than political motives.
In a Facebook post, Asare urged Ghanaians to distinguish between political narratives and judicial decisions, cautioning against what he described as attempts to rewrite history or dismiss established court rulings.
According to Asare, two separate High Court decisions—one delivered in a civil case in 2019 and another in a criminal case in 2026—reached conclusions concerning Akonta Mining and its operations.
Referring to the 2026 criminal case, he stated that the court found that Akonta Mining had allowed another party to operate on its mining concession without the approval of the Minister responsible for mining, facilitated unlawful mining activities, and identified Chairman Wontumi as the owner and controlling mind of the company.
Asare also cited findings from a 2019 High Court civil case, which, according to him, concluded that Akonta Mining held a prospecting licence but was engaged in mining activities beyond the scope of that licence. He said the court further found that the mining activities were unauthorised, involved the use of Chinese nationals without the required legal authority, and resulted in significant environmental damage, including pollution of the Tano River.
This is about rule of law
Kwaku Asare argued that these conclusions were reached by independent courts and should not be viewed as political opinions or commentary from social media.
In his view, the prosecution of Chairman Wontumi should be understood within the framework of the rule of law and environmental accountability rather than as an act of political persecution or tribal targeting.
He maintained that Ghana’s institutions have a responsibility to enforce environmental laws and hold individuals or companies accountable where courts determine legal violations have occurred.
The legal scholar concluded that protecting Ghana’s natural resources requires the consistent application of the law, irrespective of a person’s political affiliation or social status.
Source: Kwaku Azar Facebook page
