The legal showdown surrounding environmental destruction in one of Ghana’s key ecological zones entered a decisive phase today as prosecutors formally rested their case against former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and two associates over alleged illegal operations in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve.
The closure of the state’s case at the Accra Criminal Court follows testimony from three primary prosecution witnesses: two former insiders at Akonta Mining Company Limited and a lead investigator from the Ghana Police Service.
Rather than relying solely on verbal testimony, the state built its strategy on a blend of witness statements and surveillance technology.
“The two former employees testified directly regarding Mr. Antwi-Boasiako’s alleged involvement in the company’s mining activities within the protected forest reserve,” the prosecution stated, highlighting the former workers’ accounts of day-to-day operations.
Complementing the insider testimonies, the state’s investigative team presented technical exhibits to demonstrate activity within the restricted forest boundaries.
“The detective introduced drone footage, other audiovisual materials, and official correspondence into evidence to substantiate the statements provided by the former staff,” prosecutors told the court.
Defense counsel for the politician widely known as Chairman Wontumi and his co-defendants pushed back aggressively during cross-examination, attempting to dismantle the state’s narrative linking the accused to the site.
“The accused persons have sought during cross-examination to distance themselves entirely from any mining activities in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve,” the prosecution acknowledged in court records.
In a swift procedural turn immediately following the prosecution’s resting statement, defense lawyers moved to reopen questioning on the state’s initial testimony before opening their own defense.
“We are asking the court to grant permission to recall the first prosecution witness for further cross-examination,” requested the defense counsel.
The presiding judge ordered the defense team to submit a formal written application for the witness recall by Friday, October 30. Proceedings were adjourned to November 4, when the court will rule on the defense motion before deciding whether the accused will be called to open their defense.
