Ghana NPP Chairman Wontumi sentenced to 20 years for illegal mining

The Accra High Court sentenced Bernard Antwi‑Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi and Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to 20 years' imprisonment with hard labour for illegal mining offences linked to the Samreboi concession in Ghana's Western Region. The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, with a default three‑year custodial term if unpaid; the custodial and default sentences run concurrently. Akonta Mining Company Limited, the firm associated with Wontumi, was convicted and fined 15,000 penalty units per count.

Following the judgment, the NPP leadership, including General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, convened an emergency meeting with the party’s flagbearer and legal team to review the decision and consider next steps, urging members to stay calm and united. A NPP vice‑chairman, Kwabena Nsenkyire, said the conviction would motivate the party to regain government power in 2029 and seek a presidential pardon for Wontumi. The party’s General Secretary also accused the government of using the case to divert attention from pressing national challenges. A lawyer who intervened at sentencing argued for a reduced term, citing the potential impact on employees' livelihoods. Wontumi was transferred to Nsawam Medium Security Prison to begin serving his sentence.