Akonta Mining Operations Manager granted GH¢10m bail
08:14:02The High Court in Accra has granted bail to Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, the Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, in the sum of GH¢10 million with three sureties, one to be justified.
Owusu Bempah, who is the fifth accused person in the matter, appeared before the court yesterday following his recent arrest.
The court, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, also ordered the accused person to deposit his passport with the registry of the court.
Counsel for the accused, Andrew Vortia, told journalists after the hearing that his client had voluntarily presented himself to the police about three weeks ago.
Owusu Bempah was initially granted police inquiry bail, but was re-arrested last Monday after failing to report to the police as required under the terms of that bail.
Facts of the case
In court, Owusu Bempah pleaded not guilty to charges that included 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’s case said although Akonta Mining, owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), held 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 prosecution, investigations indicated that despite the refusal, the company entered the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, felled trees, and erected structures without authorisation.
The prosecution also told the court that three of the accused persons — Chairman Wontumi, 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 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The prosecution also informed the court that it had withdrawn charges against Edward Akuoko and would use him as a prosecution witness. it indicated its intention to amend the charge sheet to formally remove Akuoko as an accused person.
The court adjourned the case to February 17.
Background
The charges form part of a broader case involving Akonta Mining, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, and others over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
