Chairman Wontumi Sentenced to 20 Years in Illegal Mining Case; Defence to Appeal

The Accra High Court has sentenced Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years' imprisonment with hard labour following his conviction on illegal mining offences linked to the Samreboi concession involving Akonta Mining Limited.

The court imposed two separate 20-year prison terms to run concurrently, leaving an effective custodial sentence of 20 years. It also fined both Antwi-Boasiako and Akonta Mining Limited.

The judgment was delivered in the absence of Wontumi's lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, who was reportedly engaged in another court. His appointment followed the court's earlier decision to strike out an application by lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi to withdraw from the case, ruling that the application was not competent under Ghana's criminal procedure.

The defence has strongly rejected both the conviction and the sentence. Speaking after the ruling, lawyer Enoch Afoakwa described the punishment as "mind-boggling" and confirmed that the legal team would immediately begin the appeal process.

According to the defence, the case will first be taken to the Court of Appeal, with the option of proceeding to the Supreme Court if necessary. The lawyers say they intend to exhaust every legal avenue available in an effort to overturn the conviction or secure a reduced sentence.

The case has attracted nationwide attention because of Wontumi's prominent political position as the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party and because it comes amid Ghana's intensified crackdown on illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

The verdict has generated mixed reactions across the country. While supporters of Wontumi argue that the sentence is excessively harsh, anti-illegal mining campaigners view the ruling as a strong indication that the law applies equally to all, regardless of political status.

The case now moves to the Court of Appeal, where both the conviction and the sentence will be reviewed. The outcome of the appeal is expected to shape one of Ghana's most closely watched illegal mining prosecutions in recent years.