'Wontumi went overboard, forgive and grant him clemency' — Spokesperson begs Mahama, wife

Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has apologised to President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama for any disparaging remarks he made about them during the campaign leading up to the 2024 general election.

The apology comes as the incarcerated Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) serves a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted over illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.

Speaking to Citi News, Wontumi’s spokesperson, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, said the apology was intended as a gesture of goodwill while appealing to President Mahama to consider granting the former NPP regional chairman clemency.

“The first call is to render an apology, and I think that is important. Former Chairman renders an apology to him if, at some stage, the conversations went overboard, which was never intended.”

Boakye-Danquah was, however, quick to emphasise that the apology should not be construed as an admission that political disagreements between Wontumi and President Mahama influenced the criminal case that led to his conviction.

“Not at all. We are aware that in this country there are influences. If you are able to identify those influences and begin making amends, I think we build a better society for all of us to live in.”

He maintained that the appeal for forgiveness was intended to foster reconciliation and should not be interpreted as suggesting that political considerations played any role in Wontumi’s prosecution or sentencing.

Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment after Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court found him guilty on all six charges brought against him.

He, together with Akonta Mining Limited and a third accused person, Kwame Antwi, was prosecuted over alleged illegal mining activities on the company's concession at Samreboi.

According to the prosecution, the accused unlawfully assigned mineral rights on the concession without the approval of the sector minister and facilitated mining operations without the necessary authorisation, contrary to the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act.