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Friday, 31 July 2026
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Friday, 31 July 2026
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Ghanaian press · Person

Bernard Antwi-Boasiako

Also known as: Mr. Antwi-Boasiako · Mr Antwi-Boasiako · Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako · Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako · Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako · Antwi Boasiako · Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako

NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman convicted of illegal mining in July 2026, sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for activities linked to Akonta Mining.

2026-05-092026-07-31

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. Joy Online

    Governing National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s James Agbey has urged President John Mahama not to grant clemency to Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

    ‘Don’t pardon Wontumi’ – NDC’s James Agbey warns Mahama of grassroots revolt
  3. Joy Online

    The incarcerated Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has apologised to President John Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama.

    Wontumi apologises to Mahama, seeks Presidential clemency
  4. Joy Online

    Samuel Atta Akyea has officially taken over as lead counsel for embattled New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve illegal mining case.

    Atta Akyea takes over Chairman Wontumi’s Tano Nimiri illegal mining case, trial resumes July 31
  5. Joy Online

    Private legal practitioner Andy Appiah-Kubi has revealed that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, had prior knowledge that he would be convicted before appearing in court on the day judgment was deliv

    Wontumi knew he would be convicted – Appiah-Kubi
  6. Joy Online

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called for restraint in the ongoing legal efforts to bring former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta back to Ghana.

    Atta Akyea urges patience in Ofori-Atta’s case, calls for voluntary return
  7. Joy Online

    Lead counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, says his legal team will file an appeal against his conviction next week and immediately seek bail pending appeal.

    Wontumi to appeal conviction next week, seek bail pending appeal- Atta Akyea
  8. Joy Online

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has argued that comments attributed to the Attorney-General suggest that the trial judge should have upheld the defence

    Atta Akyea says AG’s position supports Wontumi’s no-case submission argument
  9. Joy Online

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has challenged the High Court’s assessment of the evidence that led to his client’s conviction in the illegal mining case.

    Atta Akyea disputes judge’s conclusions on evidence in Wontumi illegal mining case
  10. Joy Online

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal will closely examine what he described as the trial judge’s interpret

    Atta Akyea: Court of Appeal must review judge’s interpretation of mining assignment in Wontumi Case
  11. Joy Online

    Lead counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has cautioned against what he describes as political influence in the administration of justice, insisting that the judiciary must remain

    Justice hasn’t gotten a political term of 4 years – Atta Akyea raises concerns over Wontumi prosecution

Wednesday 29 July

  1. NDC warns Mahama against pardoning Wontumi

    NDC's James Agbey has urged President Mahama not to grant clemency to NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), warning that such a move could provoke grassroots backlash. Agbey dismissed recent appeals for presidential mercy as premature, arguing that Wontumi has not yet served sufficient time and the NPP remains divided on whether to accept his conviction.

    29 July 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 28 July

  1. NPP Chairman Wontumi apologizes to Mahama, seeks presidential clemency

    Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), serving a 20-year sentence for illegal mining in Samreboi Forest, has apologized to President John Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama for remarks made during the 2024 election campaign, and is appealing for presidential clemency.

    28 July 2026 · Joy Online

Monday 27 July

  1. Atta Akyea takes over Wontumi's illegal mining case trial

    Samuel Atta Akyea has become lead counsel for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve illegal mining case, following the voluntary withdrawal of his former lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi. The trial resumes at the Accra High Court on July 31, 2026.

    27 July 2026 · Joy Online

Sunday 26 July

  1. Wontumi's lawyer claims NPP chair knew verdict beforehand

    Private legal practitioner Andy Appiah-Kubi, formerly Wontumi's lawyer, claims the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP had prior knowledge of his conviction in the Samreboi illegal mining case before judgment was delivered, and that Wontumi had told him he would be sentenced to 20 years. Appiah-Kubi disagrees with the conviction, arguing the court wrongly treated Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining as one entity, and says this will form the basis of the appeal.

    26 July 2026 · Joy Online

Saturday 25 July

  1. Atta Akyea calls for voluntary return of Ofori-Atta from US

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, has urged authorities to allow former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana voluntarily rather than pursuing extradition, arguing that complex extradition proceedings should not be used to compel his return.

    25 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Wontumi's legal team to appeal conviction, seek bail next week

    Lead counsel for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Wontumi) says the defence will file an appeal against his conviction next week and immediately seek bail pending appeal, expressing hope the Court of Appeal will grant bail while considering the case.

    25 July 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Wontumi's counsel claims AG position supports no-case submission

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), argues that comments attributed to the Attorney-General suggest the trial judge should have upheld the defence's no-case submission, contending the prosecution failed to present sufficiently strong evidence against his client.

    25 July 2026 · Joy Online

  4. Atta Akyea challenges court's illegal mining evidence assessment for Wontumi

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), disputes the High Court's findings in his client's illegal mining conviction, arguing the prosecution failed to prove Wontumi sanctioned illegal mining and that the court wrongly interpreted earth-moving equipment on the concession as evidence of mining rather than land reclamation.

    25 July 2026 · Joy Online

  5. Atta Akyea signals appeal challenge to Wontumi mining conviction

    Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Wontumi), says the Court of Appeal must review the trial judge's interpretation of mining assignment law after Wontumi's conviction for illegal mining on the Samreboi concession and sentence of 20 years imprisonment plus a fine of 10,000 penalty units (GH¢120,000).

    25 July 2026 · Joy Online

  6. Justice must not be tied to political calendar, Wontumi's counsel argues

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, has cautioned against political influence in judicial administration, arguing that the justice system must remain independent and that prosecutions should not be fast-tracked to meet political agendas or government timelines.

    25 July 2026 · Joy Online

  7. Wontumi's lead counsel criticises pace of illegal mining prosecution

    Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), has criticised what he describes as "indecent haste" in prosecuting politically exposed persons, arguing that his client's illegal mining case was handled at an unusually fast pace compared to ordinary criminal and civil cases in Ghana's courts.

    25 July 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 24 July

  1. High Court convicts NPP Ashanti Chairman Wontumi for illegal mining

    The High Court convicted NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) over illegal mining activities linked to Akonta Mining and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment. The government says the verdict demonstrates no one is above the law, while the opposition argues it is politically tainted and has vowed to appeal.

    24 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Wontumi convicted of illegal mining; Ofori-Atta wins US immigration case

    The High Court convicted NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) of illegal mining and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment, with government calling it evidence that no one is above the law and opposition calling it politically tainted. A United States immigration court found that the Office of the Special Prosecutor failed to provide sufficiently credible evidence in proceedings involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, though the OSP rejected suggestions that its case has collapsed.

    24 July 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 23 July

  1. Majority Leader tells Minority to challenge Wontumi conviction in court

    Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has dismissed Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin's claims of political persecution, insisting that the courts—not the Attorney General—are responsible for criminal convictions and urging the Minority to challenge court decisions through appropriate legal channels instead of attacking judges.

    23 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. NDC organiser Yamin challenges accusers to produce galamsey evidence

    The National Organiser of the NDC, Joseph Yamin, has challenged those accusing him of illegal mining to provide credible evidence, stating that no state investigative body is probing him for galamsey-related offence. He said the issue before authorities concerns allegations that unidentified persons are using his name to intimidate the public, not an investigation into illegal mining itself.

    23 July 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Amewu calls Wontumi's 20-year sentence severe, questions fairness

    Former Minister John Peter Amewu has described the 20-year prison sentence imposed on NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Wontumi) as "severe" and "shocking," saying it raises questions about proportionality and fairness in the administration of justice, while reaffirming his respect for the rule of law and judicial independence.

    22 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Former NPP official urges party unity amid Wontumi sentencing

    Dr Sammy Crabbe, former NPP National First Vice Chairman, has called on party members to remain united and support Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) following his conviction on illegal mining charges. The Accra High Court sentenced Wontumi to 20 years' imprisonment plus a fine of 10,000 penalty units over illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

    22 July 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Wontumi appears in Accra court on Tano Nimiri illegal mining charges

    Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), the jailed Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, made his first appearance at Accra High Court for the Tano Nimiri illegal mining case while serving a 20-year sentence from a separate Samreboi illegal mining conviction. He was convicted on six counts under the Minerals and Mining Act for unlawfully assigning mineral rights and facilitating illegal mining through Akonta Mining Limited.

    22 July 2026 · Joy Online

  4. NPP ex-secretary backs Wontumi after galamsey conviction

    Former NPP General Secretary John Boadu has expressed support for Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Wontumi), who was convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for illegal mining offences on the Samreboi concession. Boadu called him a "Political Prisoner" and urged NPP members to remain united while the party pursues legal challenge to the High Court's decision.

    22 July 2026 · Joy Online

  5. Ashanti NPP MPs pledge support for convicted party chairman

    The Ashanti Caucus of NPP Members of Parliament has declared unwavering support for the party's Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako following his conviction by the High Court, describing him as a resilient leader whose contributions to the NPP cannot be diminished by a single court judgment.

    22 July 2026 · Daily Guide

Tuesday 21 July

  1. CEO denies influencing Wontumi trial or judge relationship

    Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, has denied claims that a personal relationship with the trial judge influenced the outcome of the illegal mining case against NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako. He described as "fabrication" reports that he expressed confidence Wontumi would be convicted because the judge was his sister-in-law.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Wontumi's 20-year mining conviction triggers Ghana constitutional challenge

    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

  3. Minority calls for equal galamsey enforcement, Wontumi conviction review

    The Minority in Parliament has called for equal enforcement of Ghana's anti-illegal mining laws and urged the Court of Appeal to closely review the trial that led to the conviction of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako. The Minority criticized selective application of justice in the fight against galamsey and called on the Attorney General to publish the state's enforcement record across the political spectrum.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

  4. Hanan Abdul-Wahab trial adjourned due to Wontumi judgment delays

    The Accra High Court rescheduled the trial of former National Buffer Stock Company CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab after court proceedings were delayed by a lengthy judgment in a separate case involving NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako. Abdul-Wahab and his wife face allegations of orchestrating a scheme to divert public funds from the National Buffer Stock Company and School Feeding Programme for personal benefit.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

  5. Parliamentary Minority condemns Wontumi conviction as "miscarriage of justice"

    The Parliamentary Minority has declared NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Wontumi) a "political prisoner" following his High Court conviction, alleging selective justice and constitutional breaches, including that judgment was delivered in the absence of his lead counsel. The Minority vowed to use parliamentary and constitutional avenues to challenge the verdict while stating it supports prosecution of illegal mining and does not seek immunity based on political affiliation.

    21 July 2026 · The Chronicle

  6. Civil society group hails Wontumi conviction, calls for mining law enforcement

    Lands and Mines Watch Ghana welcomed the Accra High Court's conviction of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) and Akonta Mining Company Limited for unlawful mining activities, and urged stronger action against illegal mining. The group said the judgment reinforces that Ghana's mining laws apply equally to all persons and companies regardless of political status.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

  7. Lands and Mines Watch hails Wontumi conviction for illegal mining

    Civil society group Lands and Mines Watch Ghana welcomed the conviction and sentencing of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Akonta Mining Company Limited by the Accra High Court, calling it a landmark moment that reinforces the equal application of Ghana's mining laws regardless of political status.

    21 July 2026 · Joy Online

Monday 20 July

  1. NDC official views Wontumi's sentence as justice for galamsey communities

    The National Democratic Congress Deputy Director of IT and Elections says the 20-year sentence handed to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako represents justice for communities devastated by illegal mining, citing polluted water bodies, destroyed forests, and health concerns affecting residents.

    20 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Lawyer defends Wontumi conviction as fair and well-reasoned

    Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has described the conviction of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) as fair and well-reasoned, noting the judge's sound analysis. Kpebu cited the prosecution's evidence, including testimony from a witness who admitted carrying out illegal mining activities and stated that Wontumi had given him access to the concession where the mining took place.

    20 July 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Minority challenges Wontumi's mining conviction on procedural grounds

    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.

    20 July 2026 · Joy Online

Bernard Antwi-Boasiako — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute