Chairman Wontumi’s witness disowns portions of witness statement
The first defence witness in the trial involving Chairman Wontumi and his company over allegations of permitting two persons to mine on their concession without the required licence on Thursday (May 14, 2026) disowned portions of his witness statement during cross-examination at the High Court.
Wisdom Edem Gomashie, a professional mining engineer, had earlier adopted his witness statement during his evidence-in-chief after identifying his signature on the document, which was subsequently tendered in evidence.
However, during cross-examination by the Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, several inconsistencies emerged in the sworn statement, particularly regarding the witness’s academic qualifications and educational history.
Dr Srem-Sai drew the court’s attention to conflicting dates and inaccuracies contained in the statement.
One of the discrepancies highlighted was a claim by the witness, who was born in April 1993, that he had obtained his first degree in 1998.
The prosecution also pointed to another inconsistency in which the witness stated that he obtained his master’s degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), whereas he later clarified that the degrees were actually awarded by the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) and the University of Ghana.
When questioned about the inconsistencies, the witness told the court that the errors were the result of mistakes and typographical omissions in the statement.
“So it is not true when you told the court that you had a Master of Science Degree in Minerals and Economics in 2003,” the Deputy Attorney-General asked.
The witness responded that it was “a typo”.
The court subsequently allowed the witness to make corrections to the statement to clarify the record.
Chairman Wontumi and his company are standing trial over allegations that they permitted two individuals to undertake mining activities on their concession without the necessary authorisation. They have denied the charges.
