Ghana court jails opposition party's regional chairman for illegal mining

A Ghanaian High Court has sentenced Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years in prison with hard labor for illegal mining. The ruling came after a protracted legal battle involving multiple procedural challenges and public scrutiny. Wontumi, a key figure within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), faces charges tied to unauthorized mining activities in the Western Region. The court convicted Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining, of operating without proper authorization within a forest reserve near Samreboi. Judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay determined that Wontumi had improperly transferred mineral rights without approval from the relevant sector minister. Additionally, the court found him responsible for enabling unlicensed mining operations, which violated the Minerals and Mining Act. While the maximum penalty for these offenses is 25 years, the judge imposed a 20-year sentence. During the trial, Wontumi’s legal team requested leniency, emphasizing that he was a first-time offender and a law-abiding individual. They also highlighted the potential impact on hundreds of employees whose livelihoods would be jeopardized by his incarceration. Despite these arguments, the judge remained unmoved. The proceedings were marked by several procedural shifts. Initially represented by Andy Appiah Kubi, Wontumi’s defense changed when his attorney withdrew from the case. His new counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, sought additional time to examine the case files and later filed a separate petition at the Supreme Court challenging the application of the Minerals and Mining Act. Akyea also requested a postponement of the sentencing, citing that Wontumi was abroad at the time. However, the judge dismissed the motion, deeming it lacking in merit, and proceeded with the scheduled verdict. Chairman Wontumi, 50, has served as the leader of the NPP in the Ashanti Region since 2014. During the tenure of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, he played a crucial role in financing the party’s campaigns. Beyond politics, he is a media mogul, owning radio and television stations in Accra and Kumasi. In 2022, he publicly expressed interest in acquiring England’s Chelsea Football Club. In 2025, Wontumi was arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office over allegations of illegal mining, alongside a separate investigation into a 14-million-cedi loan from Exim Bank for a farming initiative. At the time of his sentencing, he was actively running for the position of national chairman within the NPP. Illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey,” remains a pressing issue in Ghana. These operations frequently occur in protected areas such as forest reserves and along riverbanks, where miners use hazardous substances like mercury. This practice leads to severe environmental degradation and poses serious health risks to local communities, as contaminated water sources are used for daily consumption and domestic purposes. The ongoing struggle against illegal mining reflects broader challenges in enforcing environmental regulations and ensuring sustainable resource management in the country.