The Office of the Attorney-General (AG) has withdrawn all charges against Mr. Edward Akuoko, a Manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited, after he agreed to cooperate with the State in its ongoing prosecution of the company and other officials.
A notice of withdrawal filed at the Accra High Court (Criminal Division) on Monday, November 3, 2025, and signed by the Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice Srem Sai, indicated that the action was taken pursuant to Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).
The filing formally discharged Mr. Akuoko from all charges relating to the alleged illegal mining operations of Akonta Mining Company Limited within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western North Region.
Akonta Mining Limited and four individuals, – Chairman Wontumi, Mr. Akuoko, Operations Manager Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, and Co-Director Mr. Kwame Antwi, were charged with engaging in illegal mining activities in a protected forest area without authorisation.
The charges included undertaking mining operations without a licence, felling trees in a forest reserve without approval, abetting unauthorised tree felling, and erecting structures within the reserve without lawful authority.
According to the prosecution, Akonta Mining, incorporated in 2010, is jointly owned by Chairman Wontumi and Mr. Antwi, though investigations suggest that Wontumi has maintained full operational control since its establishment.
The case was triggered by petitions alleging that the company had encroached on the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. Although Akonta Mining had obtained leases for sites in Samreboi and Abekoase, its subsequent request to mine in the reserve was rejected in August 2022.
The company is alleged to have ignored the rejection and moved heavy-duty excavators into the forest to commence operations.
Investigators say about 40 excavators were found on site, with extensive environmental degradation affecting some 13 hectares of forest and contaminating parts of the Tano River. Temporary buildings and checkpoints were also reportedly erected without approval.
Armed Confrontation
The prosecution further alleged that on August 17, 2022, a joint task force from the Forestry Commission, Samartex Timber and Plywood Company, and the media came under threat from armed men believed to be led by Mr. Akuoko and Mr. Bempah during an inspection operation. The team was said to have been forced to return seized equipment before being allowed to leave the area safely.
Following several unsuccessful attempts to arrest the suspects, the police, acting under the direction of the Attorney-General’s Office, eventually apprehended Wontumi and Mr. Akuoko for prosecution.
The case involving Akonta Mining and the remaining accused persons is still pending before the High Court.
