An Accra High Court has delivered a landmark judgment, sentencing Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and serving as the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, to 20 years in prison with hard labour for offences connected to illegal mining on the Samreboi concession. Presiding judge Justice Audrey Kocuvie‑Tay found him guilty on multiple counts under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act.
Key Details of the Ruling
Sentence: 20 years imprisonment with hard labour, with all counts running concurrently.
Charges: Convicted on several mining‑related offences, including assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval, and knowingly facilitating illegal mining operations on Akonta Mining’s concession.
Financial Penalties:
- Wontumi must pay 10,000 penalty units, approximately GH¢120,000, with a three‑year custodial term in default.
- Akonta Mining Limited was fined 15,000 penalty units per count, after the court lifted the corporate veil and ruled that Wontumi acted as the company’s sole de facto decision‑maker.
Court’s Rationale
The defense argued that activities on the concession were limited to agricultural reclamation and coconut farming, but the court rejected this, citing circumstantial evidence, witness testimony, and the presence of excavators, firearms, vehicles, and cash seized during a 2025 police operation. Justice Kocuvie‑Tay ruled that the prosecution proved, beyond reasonable doubt, that illegal mining occurred with Wontumi’s implicit authorization.
Background of the Case
The conviction stems from a police anti‑galamsey operation conducted on April 16–17, 2025, during which 29 individuals were arrested, and authorities seized 25 excavators, weapons, vehicles, and GH¢157,000 in cash. Prosecutors argued that Wontumi, as owner and controlling director of Akonta Mining, permitted mining activities without the required ministerial approval.
Political and Public Reaction
The ruling has triggered intense reactions within the NPP, where Wontumi is regarded as one of the party’s most influential regional power brokers. Supporters gathered outside the courthouse, expressing anger and disbelief. Defense attorneys pleaded for leniency, citing his cooperation, lack of prior convictions, and contributions to national development, but the court maintained its position.
Sankofaonline Editorial Note
This judgment represents one of the most significant anti‑galamsey decisions in recent years, underscoring the judiciary’s growing resolve to confront illegal mining and its corrosive impact on Ghana’s environment, governance, and rule of law.
