The Minority Caucus in Parliament has objected to the 20-year prison sentence handed down to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) on two counts under the Minerals and Mining Act, alleging procedural irregularities including denial of counsel and selective prosecution, and vowing to appeal to higher courts.
22 hours ago · Joy Online →
The Ashanti Caucus of NPP Members of Parliament has expressed unwavering solidarity with regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) following his conviction and 20-year prison sentence in an illegal mining case involving Akonta Mining Limited. While reaffirming respect for the judiciary, the MPs said they remain confident the appellate process will overturn the conviction.
22 hours ago · Joy Online →
The opposition NPP has labeled its Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) a "political prisoner" following his 20-year conviction in an illegal mining case and vows to appeal the High Court judgment, arguing the conviction lacked evidentiary support.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The High Court in Accra sentenced Bernard Antwi Boasiako, Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, to 20 years in prison on each of two counts related to illegal mining, to run concurrently, and imposed fines of 10,000 penalty units per count. Akonta Mining Limited, which was jointly charged, was convicted and fined 15,000 penalty units per count; the court found the company had assigned mineral rights without ministerial approval and that Wontumi exercised direct control over the mining lease.
20 July 2026 · Daily Guide →
Investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor says Ghana must do more to hold individuals and companies accountable for environmental destruction, framing recent convictions as a step rather than the end of the fight against illegal mining and its damage to natural resources.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, says the conviction of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako should inspire journalists, activists and citizens to intensify the campaign against galamsey and demand accountability from those protecting the country's natural resources.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Accra High Court has convicted Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, on all six charges under the Minerals and Mining Act in connection with illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. The charges allege that Wontumi and his company Akonta Mining Limited permitted mining operations without ministerial approval and facilitated unlicensed mining in 2024.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Wontumi) and his company Akonta Mining Limited faced judgment in the Accra High Court on July 20, 2026, over alleged unauthorised mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region, though the defence applied to halt proceedings pending a Supreme Court decision on constitutional issues.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →