The Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, has been granted bail by the court in the sum of GH¢10 million with three sureties, one to be justified.

Owusu Bempah, the fifth accused person in a high-profile illegal mining case, is standing trial alongside Akonta Mining and three others, including the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The charges relate to alleged illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

The accused pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, to charges of undertaking mining operations without a licence, and abetting the unauthorised felling of trees and the erection of structures in the forest reserve.

The prosecution alleges that while Chairman Wontumi holds valid mining concessions in other areas, an application to mine within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve was rejected.

Despite this refusal, he allegedly entered the reserve and carried out unauthorised activities.

Owusu Bempah was initially declared at large but, according to his lawyer, Andrew Vortia, voluntarily presented himself to police about three weeks ago. He was granted police enquiry bail but was re-arrested on Monday, January 12, for failing to report as required.

Of the other accused, shareholder Kwame Antwi remains at large.

In a related development, the state in November 2025 moved to withdraw charges against the company's General Manager, Edward Akuoko, intending to use him as a prosecution witness.

The prosecution plans to formally amend the charge sheet to reflect his removal as an accused person.