The High Court in Accra on Monday concluded the cross-examination of former Western Regional Minister, Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, the fourth defence witness in the ongoing trial of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The proceedings form part of Republic v Bernard Antwi Boasiako alias Chairman Wontumi & 2 Others, a criminal prosecution arising from allegations connected to mining activities on a concession at Samreboi.
During cross-examination by the prosecution, Hon. Okyere Darko Mensah acknowledged that he had no personal knowledge of discussions or arrangements between Chairman Wontumi and second prosecution witness (PW2) Henry Okum regarding the assignment of the Samreboi concession. The arrangement between the two men lies at the centre of the charges currently before the Court.
The admission came as prosecutors sought to test the scope and evidential value of the witness’s testimony. By conceding that he was not present during the alleged assignment and had no firsthand knowledge of what transpired between the parties, the witness drew a distinction between matters within his personal knowledge and those derived from information received from others.
After the conclusion of the witness’s testimony, the defence indicated that it intends to call an additional witness. Counsel for the accused persons have filed a witness statement on behalf of Mr. Evans Addae, who is expected to testify as the fifth defence witness when proceedings resume on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
The development comes after the Court had previously cautioned the defence to conclude its case within a limited timeframe or risk having its defence deemed closed. The filing of a witness statement for an additional witness suggests that the defence is continuing efforts to place further evidence before the Court before the matter proceeds to final addresses.
As the trial continues, attention is increasingly shifting from procedural disputes over the availability of witnesses to the evidential weight of the testimony being presented. With the defence preparing to call yet another witness, the Court remains focused on determining whether the evidence led is capable of supporting the accused persons’ version of events concerning the disputed concession arrangement at Samreboi
