Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu, has described the 20-year prison sentence imposed on Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as severe and shocking, saying it raises important questions about proportionality, fairness and the administration of justice.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 22, Mr. Amewu expressed solidarity with Chairman Wontumi but stressed that his comments should not be interpreted as a challenge to the rule of law or the independence of the judiciary.
“I have received with deep shock and profound concern the news of the conviction and custodial sentence imposed on Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako,” he said.
“As a citizen of Ghana, a former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, and a longstanding member of the New Patriotic Party tradition, I wish to state clearly that I respect the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional processes available to every citizen.”
Chairman Wontumi was convicted on six counts under Section 99 of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019, after the Accra High Court found him guilty of unlawfully assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval and facilitating illegal mining in a protected forest reserve through Akonta Mining Limited.
He is currently serving a 20-year custodial sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison and has also appeared before another court over a separate illegal mining case involving the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The NPP has indicated that it will challenge both the conviction and sentence through the appellate courts.
Reflecting on his relationship with Chairman Wontumi, Mr. Amewu said the two worked closely together during the party’s rebuilding efforts after its defeat in the 2008 general elections.
“Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako is not just a political figure to me. He is a colleague and a person I have worked closely with in the service of the New Patriotic Party,” he stated.
He recalled working with Chairman Wontumi and other party executives to mobilise support that eventually contributed to the NPP’s victory in the 2016 general elections.
While reaffirming his support for the fight against illegal mining, Mr. Amewu said the campaign must be pursued within the framework of fairness, due process and the rule of law.
“The fight against illegal mining must be firm, lawful and non-partisan. At the same time, the fight must be conducted in a manner that preserves justice, proportionality, due process and public confidence in the legal system,” he said.
According to him, the sentence raises broader issues about how Ghana balances environmental protection, criminal accountability, judicial discretion, political neutrality and humane justice.
Mr. Amewu welcomed the decision by Chairman Wontumi’s legal team to appeal the judgement, saying the appellate process exists to review questions of law, sentencing and possible legal errors.
“The appeal courts exist precisely to review questions of law, proportionality, sentencing discretion and possible errors in principle,” he said.
“My solidarity with Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako is not a rejection of the rule of law. Rather, it is a call for the rule of law to operate fully, fairly, transparently and proportionately.”
He also urged party supporters to remain calm and allow the judicial process to run its course while expressing support for Chairman Wontumi, his family, the Ashanti Regional leadership of the NPP and the wider party.
“May justice be done, and may Ghana remain united, lawful and peaceful,” he concluded.
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