ACCRA – Monday, July 20, 2026
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the 20-year prison sentence handed to its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi, as a “travesty of justice” and says it will appeal the ruling.
A High Court in Accra on Monday convicted Wontumi in a case related to illegal mining activities at Samreboi and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
Addressing the media, NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua said the party respects the independence of the judiciary but strongly disagrees with the judgment.
“While we respect the authority of our courts, respect for the judiciary does not require silence in the face of a judgment that is fundamentally flawed,” Mr. Kodua said. “That is why we will exercise our constitutional right and contest this at the Court of Appeal.”
He argued that the prosecution failed to prove its case, stating that it was not in dispute that Wontumi lawfully acquired his mineral concession.
According to him, the key issue was whether the concession was improperly assigned or transferred, but “the prosecution could not produce any evidence to show that Wontumi had assigned his mineral right.”
Mr. Kodua said the conviction was based on “assumptions and inferences” instead of proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Anti-illegal mining advocates have welcomed the sentence as a boost to the fight against galamsey. The NPP, however, insists the ruling is a miscarriage of justice.
Wontumi’s lawyers are expected to file a notice of appeal in the coming days.
_Article: Dr. Georgia_
_#ChairmanWontumi #NPP #GhanaJudiciary #Galamsey #CourtOfAppeal #Justice_
