Edward Akuoko, the Managing Director of Akonta Mining, has revealed, Chairman Wontumi promised him GH¢20,000 as a monthly salary and a Land Cruiser V8, but failed to deliver on his promise.
The former Akonta Mining General Manager has been speaking on his decision to be a prosecution witness in the state case against Chairman Wontumi.
In a post by TV3, Edward Akuoko is quoted to have said, “ Chairman Wontumi promised me GH¢20,000 as a monthly salary and a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 as Akonta Mining’s General Manager, but I only received GH¢4,000 monthly for fuel”.
The former General Manager of Akonta Mining also testified that Wontumi explicitly told him that he had Chinese partners who were responsible for all mining activities and logistics.
Edward Akuoko has revealed, he will never lie about Chairman Wontumi but will tell the truth to gain his freedom.
Mr Akuoko emphasised that none of the NPP bigwigs reached out to him when he was arrested along with Wontumi.
He noted that all the solidarity messages were aimed towards Chairman Wontumi and not him, which made him worried about the possibility of being jailed.
Edward Akuoko asserted that Wontumi, even if he is jailed, could be granted a presidential pardon when the NPP comes to power, while he would be left to rot in jail.
Speaking on Okay FM on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Edward Akuoko explained his decision, “The day we went to court and we [Wontumi and I] were rearrested and placed in handcuffs, none of the big leaders in the party reached out to me or asked about me. Even attempts by people to show solidarity with Wontumi to secure his release, no one did the same for me. Did you ever hear of free Akuoko?”
“After securing bail, I was advised to agree to become a prosecution witness because I could otherwise be jailed. With Wontumi, even if he were jailed, he could be granted a presidential pardon when his party comes to power, while I would be left to my sad fate. I joined the prosecution witness out of personal interest. I will not lie against Wontumi, but I will speak my truth about the whole case,” he added.
Recall that the Office of the Attorney-General (AG) earlier this week dropped all charges against the Manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited, Mr Edward Akuoko.
The Attorney-General’s move comes after the Akonta Mining General Manager agreed to testify for the state in Wontumi’s Tano Nimire Forest galamsey trial.
In court, the Office of the Attorney-General filed a formal notice at the Accra High Court (Criminal Division) on Monday to drop the charges in accordance with Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).
The formal notice was signed by Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem Sai.
The notice added that Edward Akuoko had been discharged from prosecution in connection with all charges brought against him.
The Manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited was facing charges alongside four: Chairman Wontumi; Operations Manager of Akonta Mining, Kwadwo Owusu Bempah; and a co-director of the company, Kwame Antwi, who, along with Bempah, is currently said to be at large.
Meanwhile, Lawyer Andy Appiah Kubi, Chairman Wontumi’s legal representative, has expressed disappointment over the AG’s decision to drop charges against the General Manager of Akonta Mining after he agreed to testify against Chairman Wontumi in court.
According to Appiah Kubi, this move by the Attorney General indicates an intention to obstruct justice.
He argued that the way the Attorney General is poaching his own accused persons suggests that there is an intent to undermine the cause of justice.
See the post below:
“Promised GH¢20,000 and a Land Cruiser V8, got GH¢4,000 for fuel.” – Former Akonta Mining General Manager reveals unmet promises from Chairman Wontumi.#3NewsGH #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/W6wYhq8tw9
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) November 5, 2025
Former General Manager of Akonta Mining has testified that NPP's Chairman Wontumi explicitly told him that Chinese partners were responsible for all mining activities and logistics.#3NewsGH #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/SmSnVz9x7X
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) November 5, 2025