Environmentalists hail Wontumi's 20-year sentence as major breakthrough in anti-galamsey fight

Leading environmental advocates under the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) have welcomed the 20-year prison sentence imposed on the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, describing the judgment as a landmark victory in Ghana's campaign against illegal mining.

The Accra High Court on Monday sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years' imprisonment after convicting him on two counts of assigning mining rights without the required authorisation and facilitating illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on Chairman Wontumi for each of the two offences. Akonta Mining Limited, the company at the centre of the case, was equally convicted on the same charges and fined 15,000 penalty units on each count.

Reacting to the judgment, Convener of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, Kenneth Ashigbey, and Deputy National Director of environmental advocacy organisation A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bossu, said the ruling demonstrated the government's resolve to pursue influential individuals linked to illegal mining.

The two environmental campaigners described the verdict as a significant step in protecting Ghana's forests and water bodies, while urging authorities to apply the same standard to all persons implicated in illegal mining regardless of their political affiliation.

They also commended the Attorney-General's Department and the trial judge for their roles in securing the conviction, describing the outcome as the beginning of a broader effort to restore integrity to the mining sector.

Mr Ashigbey said the conviction should serve as a strong warning to all individuals engaged in activities that degrade the environment.

"This judgment is refreshing for all those who have fought to protect Ghana's environment, often at great personal risk. We petitioned the previous administration several times over Akonta Mining's alleged involvement in galamsey, but no action was taken. We are pleased that the current Minister for Lands and Natural Resources pursued those concerns, allowing the Attorney-General to prosecute the matter," he said.

According to him, the judgment fulfils President John Dramani Mahama's commitment to ensure that those behind illegal mining activities are held accountable.

Mr Ashigbey praised Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay for what he described as her courage in handling a complex and high-profile case, saying the verdict reflected the triumph of justice.

He maintained that the prosecution of Chairman Wontumi should not be viewed as an isolated case but rather as the beginning of a broader crackdown on all individuals involved in illegal mining.

"We will continue to push for the prosecution of every person linked to galamsey, irrespective of political colour. The same standard applied in this case must be applied to all politically exposed persons who have been cited for illegal mining," he stated.

Mr Ashigbey further argued that illegal mining causes widespread environmental destruction and loss of livelihoods, insisting that offenders deserve the harshest penalties permitted under the law.

"Galamsey is equivalent to mass destruction of our environment. Maximum sentences should serve as a deterrent to anyone contemplating involvement in the practice," he added.

For his part, Mr Bossu said the sentence imposed by the court was consistent with the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995), expressing satisfaction with the outcome.

He said the conviction sends a clear message that both the Executive and the Judiciary are prepared to enforce Ghana's mining laws without compromise.

"If this becomes the benchmark for dealing with illegal mining offences, then it demonstrates that government is serious about tackling the kingpins behind galamsey. That is a process every Ghanaian should support," he said.

Mr Bossu cautioned against selective enforcement, stressing that authorities must ensure the same legal standards are applied in all future illegal mining prosecutions.

He added that the government must sustain its efforts to enforce mining laws rigorously if it is to successfully curb environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.

Court records indicate that Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited were first arraigned before the High Court on October 6, 2025, on charges of assigning mineral rights without the written approval of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, contrary to Sections 14(1) and 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

They also faced charges of facilitating an unlicensed mining operation.

The prosecution concluded its case on June 24, 2026, after filing its written submissions. The defence subsequently filed its written address on July 13, with the court delivering judgment on July 20, 2026.