Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, Ashanti Regional Chairman of Ghana's opposition NPP, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by Accra High Court for illegal mining. The Minority Caucus in Parliament has launched a formal challenge against the judgment, citing procedural irregularities including the absence of the lead defence counsel at verdict delivery, arguing this violated the constitutional right to counsel of choice.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Former Tamale Central MP Inusah Fuseini says the 20-year prison sentence handed to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako over illegal mining offences signals an end to political protection for those engaged in galamsey and demonstrates that individuals can no longer rely on political connections to avoid accountability.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Minority caucus has described the High Court judgment sentencing NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako to 20 years' imprisonment as fundamentally flawed, citing four major legal defects including the trial judge's refusal to refer constitutional questions to the Supreme Court. The Minority says it will pursue legal and parliamentary avenues to challenge the judgment.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Former New Edubiase MP George Oduro has questioned Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay's handling of Bernard Antwi Boasiako's galamsey trial, alleging the judge's conduct raised concerns. Oduro questioned why one judge is handling several NPP-related cases despite the availability of many High Court judges across Ghana.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), an aspirant for NPP national chairmanship, has not yet decided whether to continue his campaign following a recent jail sentence. His campaign manager said the team will consult with the NPP General Secretary and other stakeholders within a week to determine the way forward.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Criminal Division 4 of the High Court in Accra has convicted Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi) and sentenced him to 40 years' imprisonment with hard labour for offences under the Minerals and Mining Act arising from illegal mining activities at Samreboi. The court also convicted Akonta Mining Limited while the second accused remains at large.
21 July 2026 · The Chronicle →
John Darko, Lead Counsel for the Minority Caucus, has criticized the High Court's conviction of former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, arguing the prosecution failed to establish that Wontumi transferred his mining concession to persons engaged in illegal mining, and contending the court misinterpreted the Minerals and Mining Act by criminalizing a transfer that the law merely renders invalid.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Lead Counsel for the Minority Caucus has criticized the High Court's conviction of former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), arguing that the prosecution failed to establish that Wontumi transferred his mining concession to persons engaged in illegal mining and that the court misinterpreted the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, which he contends renders such a transfer invalid rather than criminal.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Former Lands and Natural Resources Minister Inusah Fuseini said he has no sympathy for former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako following his illegal mining conviction, arguing that galamsey has devastated rural communities' access to water and livelihoods.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Former Lands and Natural Resources Minister Inusah Fuseini has said he has no sympathy for former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) following his conviction in an illegal mining case, citing the devastating impact of galamsey on rural communities' access to water and farming livelihoods.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →