JUDGEMENT

The Accused persons are a company (A3) and two gentlemen alleged to be its shareholders and directors. They were arraigned on 7th October, 2025 for the following offences:

“COUNT ONE

Statement of Offence:

Assignment of mineral rights without approval, contrary to Section 14(1) and Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by Section 3 of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

Particulars of Offence: BERNARD ANTWI BOASIAKO, alias WONTUMI, 49 years old, entrepreneur; that you, in the year 2024, in Samreboi in the Western Region and within the jurisdiction of this Court, being the owner and controlling director of AKONTA MINING COMPANY LIMITED did, without first obtaining the prior written approval of the Minister, permit HENRY OKUM and MICHAEL GYEDU AYISI to undertake a mining operation within the mining concession which was granted to the said AKONTA MINING COMPANY LIMITED only.

COUNT TWO

Statement of Offence:

Assignment of mineral rights without approval, contrary to Section 14(1) and Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by Section 3 of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

Particulars of Offence: KWAME ANTWI, at large; that you, in the year 2024, in Samreboi in the Western Region and within the jurisdiction of this Court, being a director of AKONTA MINING COMPANY LIMITED did, without first obtaining the prior written approval of the Minister, permit HENRY OKUM and MICHAEL GYEDU AYISI to undertake a mining operation within the mining concession which was granted to the said AKONTA MINING COMPANY LIMITED only.

COUNT THREE

Statement of Offence: Assignment of mineral rights without approval, contrary to Section 14(1) and Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by Section 3 of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

Particulars of Offence: AKONTA MINING COMPANY LIMITED, that you, in the year 2024, in Samreboi in the Western Region and within the jurisdiction of this Court, being incorporated with the object of engaging in mining and exploration did, without first obtaining the prior written approval of the Minister, permit HENRY OKUM and MICHAEL GYEDU AYISI to undertake a mining operation within the mining concession which was granted to you only.

COUNT FOUR

Statement of Offence: Purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary