The Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, has been granted a GH¢10 million bail with three sureties, one of whom is to be justified.

Owusu Bempah, who is the fifth accused person in the matter, appeared before the Accra High Court on Wednesday [Jan 14, 2026] following his recent arrest.

The court, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, also ordered the accused to deposit his passport with the court registry.

Counsel for the accused, Andrew Vortia, told journalists after the hearing that his client had voluntarily presented himself to the police three weeks ago.

Owusu Bempah was initially granted police inquiry bail but was re-arrested on Monday, January 12, after failing to report to the police as required under the terms of that bail.

In court, Owusu Bempah pleaded not guilty to charges including undertaking mining operations without a licence, abetting the unauthorised felling of trees and abetting the unauthorised erection of structures within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

The prosecution has said although Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, the owner of Akonta Mining Company holds valid mining concessions at Samreboi and Abekoase in the Western Region both outside the forest reserve, an application to mine within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve was refused.

According to the prosecution, investigations indicate that despite the refusal, Chairman Wontumi allegedly entered the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, cut down trees, and erected structures without authorisation.

The prosecution also told the court that three of the accused persons — Bernard Antwi Boasiako, a shareholder representing Akonta Mining, and Edward Akuoko, the company’s General Manager—were arrested and arraigned before the court. Kwame Antwi, another shareholder of Akonta Mining, and Kwame Owusu Bempah were initially declared at large, according to the charge sheet.

While Mr Owusu Bempah has since been arrested, Kwame Antwi remains at large.

The prosecution also informed the court that it had withdrawn charges against Edward Akuoko and would use him as a prosecution witness.

The court has adjourned the case to February 17, 2026.

The charges form part of a broader case involving Akonta Mining, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and others, over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.