State closes case against Akonta Mining in Tano Nimiri forest trial

The prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai, has closed its case against Akonta Mining Company Limited and its directors, including Bernard Antwi Boasiako, in a trial concerning illegal mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. The case, conducted at the Accra High Court, involves allegations of mining and deforestation without requisite licenses. The state’s decision to close its case follows the testimonies of three witnesses, including a police detective who provided evidence of unauthorized activities within the protected forest area.

Detective Chief Inspector Eugene Glover, the final witness for the prosecution, testified regarding the use of drone surveillance and field inspections that documented the mining operations. Glover defended his investigative process, asserting that despite receiving an incomplete initial docket, his subsequent work confirmed that the company had established barriers to block access to the site while operating without environmental permits. He maintained that the evidence collected, including drone footage, linked the accused to the deforestation of the reserve.

Immediately after the state concluded its evidence, lead defense counsel Samuel Atta Akyea informed the court of his intent to recall the first prosecution witness, Edward Akuoko, for further cross-examination. The defense contends that Akuoko, a former employee who previously faced charges alongside the other accused, is a vital witness for their case. Akuoko's earlier testimony described how he was purportedly instructed to move mining equipment into the forest reserve without the required legal documentation.

The court has set a deadline of October 30, 2026, for the defense to file a formal application to recall the witness, with the prosecution expected to respond shortly thereafter. The case is scheduled to resume on November 4, 2026, for a ruling on the defense's request. This trial is widely seen as a significant test of the legal system's ability to prosecute high-profile illegal mining cases in Ghana’s environmentally sensitive regions.