Attorney General drops charges as Edward Akuoko turns State witness in Akonta mining case

The Attorney General has withdrawn all charges against Edward Akuoko, the General Manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited, after he agreed to serve as a prosecution witness in the ongoing illegal mining trial.

The notice, filed at the High Court on November 3, 2025, indicated that the decision was made under Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960. Akuoko had earlier pleaded not guilty to three counts, including undertaking mining operations without a licence and abetting the unauthorised felling of trees in a forest reserve.

His withdrawal from the list of accused persons is expected to reshape the prosecution’s case, which involves the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, and others charged for conducting illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve.

Akonta Mining was alleged to have entered the forest reserve to conduct extensive mining despite being denied a permit. The activities reportedly caused large-scale environmental damage, including the destruction of 13 hectares of forest land and portions of the Tano River.

Akuoko, who led operations on the ground, was said to have confronted Forestry Commission officials who attempted to seize equipment during an inspection.

With his new role as a prosecution witness, the State is expected to rely on his testimony to strengthen its case against the remaining accused persons as the trial continues.