Bernard Antwi Boasiako sentenced to 20 years in prison

Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, and his firm, Akonta Mining Limited, have been sentenced to 20 years in prison by an Accra High Court. The conviction follows charges under the Minerals and Mining Act regarding illegal mining activities.

In a separate legal development, Boasiako and Wontumi Farms have filed a suit at the High Court to halt criminal proceedings related to a loan dispute with the Ghana Export-Import Bank. The plaintiffs argue that the matter involving a GH¢18 million loan for a farming project should be treated as a civil debt dispute rather than a criminal case. They contend that the project failed due to flooding and substantial losses, and they have accused the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of exceeding its mandate by pursuing criminal charges such as money laundering and defrauding by false pretences.

Political figures have responded to the sentencing, with the Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) UK and Ireland branch, Andy Owusu, describing the prosecution as “selective justice.” Owusu alleged that authorities are targeting political opponents while ignoring similar activities by members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).