The first prosecution witness, Michael Gyedu Ayisi, an artisanal miner, told the court that he worked as an administrator and supervisor on a concession, which he said was taken over by Chairman Wontumi. Under cross-examination by Andy Appiah-Kubi, counsel for Chairman Wontumi, the witness said his immediate boss, Henry Okun, took over the concession from Chairman Wontumi. Ayisi said he did not personally know Chairman Wontumi but saw him on television as the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Chairman Wontumi has been charged with deliberately facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, while Kwame Antwi is charged with assignment of mineral rights without approval. He (Chairman Wontumi) has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is on a GH¢15 million bail.

Source: GhanaWeb January 14, 2026 04:50 UTC