The High Court in Accra has sentenced Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years in prison. He was found guilty in an illegal mining case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region. The sentence was issued by the Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court, which has been overseeing the case involving Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining Company Limited, and another accused individual, Kwame Antwi.
Before delivering its judgment, the court dismissed a motion from the defense that sought to postpone the ruling and refer certain aspects of the case to the Supreme Court for constitutional interpretation. This application was filed after the lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi, Samuel Atta Akyea, travelled outside the country. Lawyer Charles Boakye, who represented Mr. Atta Akyea, informed the court that the motion had been submitted on July 16 and was scheduled for a hearing on the following Monday. He requested the court to defer the judgment, but the request was denied.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, however, dismissed the application, describing it as lacking merit, before proceeding to convict and sentence Chairman Wontumi. The prosecution argued that Akonta Mining Company Limited and its officials facilitated illegal mining activities on the company’s concession at Samreboi.
During the trial, Chairman Wontumi denied authorising prosecution witness Henry Okum to undertake mining on the concession, insisting that the arrangement was solely for land reclamation and the establishment of a coconut plantation.
The case followed investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) after the Attorney General directed that the matter be prosecuted. Chairman Wontumi first reported to the CID in October 2025 as part of the investigations.
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Source: Abigail Arthur
