Samreboi Residents Hail Wontumi’s 20‑Year Sentence but Demand Compensation and Land Reclamation

Residents of Samreboi in the Western Region, who suffered severe losses from recent floods linked to alleged illegal mining, say the 20‑year jail term handed to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) brings relief — but not full justice.

They insist that true justice will only be achieved when affected families receive compensation and the government undertakes massive reclamation of lands degraded by Akonta Mining’s activities.

Speaking to Citi News, resident Ebenezer Ackah said the devastation caused by Akonta Mining was enormous.

“This is good news to us… As I speak, all my properties are destroyed, my mother’s building has collapsed, and one of my friends has also lost his farm.”

Ackah welcomed the judgment as a deterrent but stressed that no compensation has been paid to victims.

“We are very happy with the judgment… However, we are the ones who have been most affected, but no compensation has been made to us.”

Another resident, Amos Rosely, said the ruling proves that the law must apply equally, regardless of political power.

“Look at how one person has been able to cause this devastation to us just because his party was in power. It is a good thing that the law has taken its course.”

Others say the environmental destruction left behind is too vast to ignore. Resident Mr Dadzie urged government to prioritise land restoration.

“I expected even a worse judgment on him. Now what we want the government to do is to reclaim the degraded land. It is huge and we cannot leave it as it is.”

For Samreboi, the court’s decision is only the first step. Residents say rebuilding their lives, restoring the environment, and compensating affected families remain critical to achieving full justice after years of alleged illegal mining.