The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been transferred to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison to begin serving a 20-year sentence following his conviction over illegal mining activities.
The transfer was confirmed by former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, on Asempa FM’s Ekosii sen on Monday, July 20, 2026.
“I have just parted ways with him, and he is being taken to Nsawam. How did we get to this stage as a country?” he said.
Dr Boakye-Danquah’s confirmation came hours after the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment over illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, who presided over the case, also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000, with a further three years’ imprisonment to apply as a default sentence if the fine goes unpaid.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Dr Boakye-Danquah said the defence team had not expected a conviction, insisting that nothing presented during the trial established Chairman Wontumi’s personal involvement in illegal mining. He added that the defence had remained optimistic throughout proceedings that the evidence would ultimately favour their client.
Dr Boakye-Danquah also disclosed that the defence had expected the trial court to factor in a pending application before the Supreme Court before delivering its judgement, and that the legal team believed the application warranted further consideration.
“We were therefore very hopeful that, considering the application that was filed at the Supreme Court, Her Ladyship would take her time to consider the matter. Unfortunately, she did not agree with our position and went ahead to deliver her judgement,” he said.
The High Court nonetheless proceeded to deliver its ruling, convicting and sentencing the NPP chairman.
Describing the outcome as deeply disappointing, Dr Boakye-Danquah raised concerns that the conviction could be seen as political victimisation, given Chairman Wontumi’s standing within the opposition party.
“It is very sad. It feels like a form of political victimisation of a politically exposed individual,” he said, stressing that Chairman Wontumi holds one of the most influential positions in the NPP as chairman of its Ashanti stronghold, the largest opposition party’s base.
He further questioned whether authorities would pursue other individuals allegedly involved in illegal mining with the same determination, saying, “If this is the direction we are taking, while we know that there are others who are actively involved in galamsey, then we will wait and see how things unfold.”
Despite his disappointment with the verdict, he expressed hope that the country would remain united.
Dr Boakye-Danquah also defended Chairman Wontumi’s conduct throughout the trial, saying the NPP chairman had honoured every court appearance and cooperated fully with proceedings from the outset.
“Chairman Wontumi has been law-abiding throughout this case. There was not a single day that he failed to appear in court. We have been very cooperative with the court and followed due process,” he said, suggesting this compliance reflected his client’s willingness to submit to the authority of the courts.
