Akonta Mining: Tano Nnimire Illegal Mining Trial Investigator Testifies

• Detective Chief Inspector Akpo Glover defended his investigative methods in the Akonta Mining Tano Nnimire illegal mining trial before an Accra High Court.
• Glover's testimony, based on witness interviews, crime scene visits, drone surveillance, and document review, implicated Bernard Antwi Boasiako and Akonta Mining.
• The defendants face charges for alleged unlicensed mining, felling approximately 300 trees, and erecting structures without permission in the Tano Nnimire Forest Reserve.
• Bernard Antwi Boasiako, a 50-year-old entrepreneur, has denied the charges and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for a similar offense.
• The Ghana illegal mining prosecution saw the prosecution close its case on October 27, 2026, with the court adjourning the proceedings to November 4, 2026, for further motions.

The prosecution alleges that the accused engaged in mining operations without the requisite license within the Tano Nnimire Forest Reserve, a protected area.

In a significant development in the ongoing Akonta Mining Tano Nnimire illegal mining trial, Detective Chief Inspector Akpo Glover presented his testimony before an Accra High Court. Glover, an investigator with 17 years of policing experience, addressed the court regarding the alleged illicit mining activities involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako and Akonta Mining Company Limited. He clarified that he inherited an incomplete police docket for the case but asserted that he meticulously reviewed the existing records and continued the investigation without making any alterations to the inherited documentation.

Under cross-examination, Detective Chief Inspector Glover firmly rejected the defense's assertion that his understanding of the case was based on "second-hand information." He emphasized that his comprehension derived from a multi-faceted investigative approach. This included conducting extensive interviews with witnesses, undertaking visits to the crime scenes within the Tano Nnimire Forest, utilizing drone surveillance for evidence collection, and thoroughly reviewing pertinent documents. His investigations, he maintained, directly implicated both Boasiako and Akonta Mining in the alleged illegal operations.

Further bolstering the prosecution's case, Glover recounted that two key prosecution witnesses had provided caution statements detailing how Akonta Mining had erected barriers and side poles within the Tano Nnimire Forest. These obstructions were reportedly designed to prevent access, specifically hindering officials from the Forestry Commission, from entering the reserve. When challenged by defense counsel Mr. Samuel Atta Akyea regarding a June 2021 letter sent to the Western Regional Security Council—which the defense suggested indicated opposition to illegal mining by the involved parties—Glover countered that the actions of Boasiako's and Akonta Mining's agents in the Tano Nnimire Forest were driven by their own self-interest.

The core of the Ghana illegal mining prosecution against Bernard Antwi Boasiako and Akonta Mining Company Limited centers on allegations of mining without a license within the protected Tano Nnimire Forest Reserve, situated in the Western Region. The prosecution has brought forth serious accusations, including the felling of approximately 300 merchantable trees within the reserve. Additionally, it is alleged that structures were erected on the site without obtaining the necessary written permission from the Forestry Commission, underscoring a blatant disregard for established environmental regulations and Forestry Commission Ghana enforcement protocols.

Bernard Antwi Boasiako, identified as a 50-year-old entrepreneur and a former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has vehemently denied all charges leveled against him. This current legal battle is not Boasiako's first encounter with the justice system over similar environmental offenses. Notably, he is presently serving a 20-year prison sentence for a comparable illegal mining conviction, adding a layer of significant legal precedent to the ongoing proceedings.

The Akonta Mining Tano Nnimire illegal mining trial holds considerable importance, not only for its direct implications for the defendants but also for setting precedents in environmental crime prosecution in Ghana. The detailed testimony by Detective Chief Inspector Akpo Glover offers crucial insights into the investigative methods employed in such complex cases, showcasing the reliance on diverse evidence types like drone surveillance, witness accounts, and forensic document review. This case highlights the rigorous scrutiny police dockets undergo, particularly when an investigation is continued by a new officer, emphasizing the need for meticulous record-keeping and procedural integrity.

The defense's strategy during cross-examination, challenging the investigator's understanding and the interpretation of evidence, underscores the adversarial nature of these trials and the critical role of legal representation. The allegations of Tano Nnimire Forest Reserve mining without proper authorization and the destruction of natural resources, including the felling of numerous trees, bring into sharp focus the broader struggle against illegal mining activities that threaten Ghana's ecological heritage. The outcome of this high-profile Bernard Antwi Boasiako mining trial will undoubtedly influence future enforcement efforts and compliance standards within the nation's mining sector. The prosecution closed its case on October 27, 2026, and the court has adjourned the proceedings to November 4, 2026, to hear a motion from the defense counsel.

This report details the investigative methods and evidence presented by the prosecution in a high-profile illegal mining trial in Ghana, offering lawyers insight into the types of evidence (e.g., drone surveillance, witness interviews) and challenges to investigative integrity that may arise in environmental crime cases. It highlights the scrutiny of police dockets and the defense's strategy during cross-examination, which is crucial for preparing defense strategies or advising clients on compliance in the mining sector.

Source: Original reporting via GNA