Edward Akuoko is a former manager at Akonta Mining Company Limited
Edward Akuoko, a former manager at Akonta Mining Company Limited, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of neglecting him during his detention over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
In an interview on Adom FM and monitored by GhanaWeb on November 5, 2025, he stated,” While I was in detention, all the focus was on Wontumi. I felt ignored and neglected by NPP.”
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Akuoko, who worked with Benard Antwi Bosiako widely known as Chairman Wontumi for over 15 years, resigned from the company in 2022 over disagreements with certain practices.
He explained that although Wontumi’s legal team helped him meet bail conditions, he was later informed that the legal team could not fully satisfy the requirements.
“When I went to the CID, I was granted bail, Wontumi’s legal team helped me meet the bail conditions. After submitting the documents, I was later informed that the legal team could not fully satisfy my bail requirements. Wontumi was released on Friday but I was detained until Monday.
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“I even lost my mother-in-law, while I was in custody, all the focus seemed to be on Wontumi. I felt ignored and neglected by NPP. I was really taken aback because all attention appeared to be directed solely at him, while my situation was overlooked”, he noted.
The Office of the Attorney General has withdrawn all charges against Edward Akuoko after he agreed to cooperate with the state in its ongoing prosecution of Akonta Mining Company and other officials.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, stated that the action was taken in accordance with Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).
Akonta Mining Limited, along with four individuals, Chairman Wontumi, Edward Akuoko, Operations Manager Kwadwo Owusu Bempah and Co-Director Kwame Antwi had been 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.
JKB/AM
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