🇬🇭GhanaWest Africa
Akonta Mining trial adjourned to June 16, witness admits logo alone does not prove ownership
via GhanaWeb3 min read
The High Court has adjourned the case involving Akonta Mining Limited and its owner, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, to Tuesday, June 16, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of the prosecution’s witness. The adjournment follows arguments by the defense lawyers regarding claims that vehicles and equipment bearing Akonta Mining's insignia automatically belonged to the company. Prosecutors allege that Akonta Mining conducted mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve without the necessary approvals. Speaking after proceedings on June 8, 2026, defense counsel Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi stated that the prosecution witness admitted a logo on property does not necessarily indicate ownership. Appiah-Kubi used his own jacket with an inscription as an example to demonstrate that inscriptions alone do not conclusively determine ownership. He added that the witness also confirmed that ownership of equipment could be established through registration records. Appiah-Kubi indicated that issues related to registration, inscriptions, and alleged links between individuals and Akonta Mining will be further examined when the case resumes.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
During Nelson Mandela's memorial service on December 11, 2013, a man standing near world leaders, including then US President Barack Obama, was exposed as a fake sign language interpreter. His hand gestures were described as meaningless, leading to international outrage and questions about diplomatic protocol and disability inclusion. The man appeared alongside service organizer Cyril Ramaphosa and other world leaders at Johannesburg's FNB Stadium. Questions about his authenticity first arose on Twitter, with Bruno Peter Druchen, national director of the Deaf Federation of South Africa, tweeting to "get RID of this CLOWN interpreter." Druchen, who is deaf, stated the person was not using sign language at all. South African Sign Language interpreter and trainer Francois Deysel confirmed the signs made no sense and were an embarrassment to the profession. The Deaf Federation of South Africa later told the BBC World Service that the man was not recognized and had never been trained to sign. The World Association of Sign Language Interpreters WASLI also stated he was not using any accepted form of sign language, with Sheena Walters from WASLI noting the repetitive signs and lack of usual facial expression. Charlie Swinborne of The Limping Chicken, a British blog for deaf people, described the man's actions as effectively oppressing deaf people by mocking their language.
Must ReadUN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Ghanaian Edem Wosornu as the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She succeeds Ruvendrini Menikdiwela of Sri Lanka. Wosornu brings over two decades of experience in humanitarian affairs, having served as the Director of the Crisis Response Division of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs UNOCHA since April 2023. Her previous roles include Chief of the Response Support Branch within OCHA’s Humanitarian Sector Division in Geneva and positions with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Before her UN career, she worked in the private legal sector in London. Wosornu holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies, a Master of Laws in International Banking and Finance Law, and a Bachelor of Laws.
Must ReadNii Ayi-Bonte II, the Gbese Mantse and paramount chief of the Ga State, has reportedly passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026, after a short illness. His death was reported on Monday, June 8, 2026. Just two days prior to his passing, Nii Ayi-Bonte II participated in traditional activities for the lifting of the ban on drumming and noise-making ahead of the Homowo Festival. Videos from the event show him engaging with attendees, being carried through the crowd, and waving while dancing to drums. Nii Ayi-Bonte II was unveiled as the first paramount chief of Gbese, the largest division of the Ga State, in April 2023. He was also known in Ghanaian football circles for his association with Accra Hearts of Oak, where he served as an executive.