Charles Bissue

The trial of Mr Charles Cromwell Nanabanyin Onuawonto Bissue, former Secretary to the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), is set to begin on 2 July 2025.

On 28 April 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) charged Mr Bissue with six counts of using public office for profit and three counts of corruption involving a public officer, under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The charges allege he accepted bribes and illicit gifts to facilitate the improper acquisition of mining licences.

He was granted bail on 6 May 2025 in the sum of GHS 200,000 with two sureties.

At a Case Management Conference, the prosecution confirmed that all disclosures were filed on 28 May 2025. These included two witness statements—one with five exhibits and the other with twelve—alongside 63 additional documents. The defence acknowledged receipt and confirmed that original copies had already been provided.

The court scheduled the prosecution’s witnesses to appear on 2, 3, 8, 9, 15, 22, and 23 July 2025, with the trial commencing on 2 July.

Mr Bissue was initially charged alongside businessman Andy Thomas Owusu, who has since been convicted following a guilty plea in a plea bargain.