Lawyer Martin Kpebu has described convicted illegal miner Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a “kingpin” in Ghana’s illegal mining sector.
He said Wontumi’s conviction reflects the long-standing call for authorities to target the masterminds behind illegal mining activities rather than only those operating at the lower levels.
His comments follow the Accra High Court’s decision on Monday to find the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman guilty in the Samreboi illegal mining case and sentence him to 20 years in prison.
The conviction has generated public debate, particularly because two individuals who admitted during the trial that they participated in the illegal mining activities testified as prosecution witnesses but were not prosecuted.
The ruling is considered one of the most significant convictions in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, with Wontumi becoming one of the highest-profile political figures to be jailed over galamsey-related offences.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Mr Kpebu said the development should be viewed against the backdrop of government’s stated objective of pursuing the key figures behind illegal mining operations.
“Because we’ve always been told that the president wanted to get the kingpins,” he said.
According to him, the two witnesses who testified against Wontumi should be regarded as subordinates, while Wontumi was the principal figure behind the operation.
“So far, it appears Henry Okum and then Michael Ayisi are underlings, and Wontumi is a kingpin,” he stated.
Mr Kpebu argued that Wontumi had, over the years, projected himself publicly as a powerful figure in the mining business.
“Don’t forget, in the past, Wontumi has been to a radio station with gold bars, etc., flaunted wealth, showing necklaces, etc. So Wontumi has posed as a kingpin,” he said.
For that reason, he maintained that using the two men as prosecution witnesses to secure a conviction against Wontumi was consistent with the broader objective of targeting those believed to be directing illegal mining activities.
“And we all want kingpins, not underlings. So Okum and Ayisi are underlings. That’s why they were used as prosecution witnesses to get their kingpin,” Kpebu said.
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