The Attorney-General (AG), Dr Dominic Ayine, has announced that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will face prosecution over the alleged involvement of his mining firm, Akonta Mining, in illegal small-scale mining.

Speaking during President John Mahama’s engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on galamsey in Accra on Friday, October 3, Dr Ayine disclosed that charges against Chairman Wontumi and five others had already been signed.

“As we speak, the charges against Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and five others have been signed. Currently, we are waiting for him to be read his rights, after which the prosecution can commence,” he said.

Dr Ayine explained that Chairman Wontumi had been directed to report to Accra on Monday, October 6, for the charges to be read to him. He added that Wontumi’s legal team had requested Tuesday, but he insisted the process should begin earlier.

“If he doesn’t come on Monday, I will order his arrest so that he is brought to Accra. His rights will be read to him, and then the prosecution can begin,” the Attorney-General said.

He revealed that investigations into Akonta Mining dated as far back as 2002 but had been concealed until the current administration took office.

“In fact, when we came to power, we found it difficult to obtain information. Subsequently, the police themselves admitted this and presented the docket to my office two months ago,” he noted.

To expedite the legal process, Dr Ayine said special measures had been put in place. “We have approached the Chief Justice, who has agreed to assign specialised courts for the prosecution of illegal mining cases,” he stated.

He also confirmed that Cabinet was preparing to approve a new Public Tribunals Bill to grant circuit tribunals exclusive jurisdiction over mining cases, with strict timelines for trials.

“On Tuesday, Cabinet will meet and approve the Public Tribunals Bill, which will go to Parliament under a certificate of urgency. If, by December, the tribunals are established, most circuit tribunals will be given exclusive jurisdiction to deal with mining cases.

“We will appoint the chairpersons and panel members of the tribunals and set clear timelines beyond which no case should be unduly delayed,” Dr Ayine said.