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 in 2026 of illegal mining; currently serving a 20-year sentence and seeking clemency.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
Governance expert, Prof Baffour Agyemang-Duah, says the conviction of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako is a legitimate outcome of the judicial process but must be followed by further prosecutions of other individuals linked to illegal min …
Wontumi’s conviction legitimate, more galamsey prosecutions must follow – Prof Agyemang-DuahThe Ghanaian Times
… Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in hard labour by an Accra High Court. …
Chairman Wontumi sentenced 20 years for illegal miningJoy Online
Former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has confirmed that Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been transferred to the Nsawam Medium Security Pr …
Wontumi taken to Nsawam Prison to begin 20-year sentence – Dr Boakye-Danquah confirmsJoy Online
Former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has expressed disappointment over the court’s decision to convict and sentence New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, …
Wontumi conviction ‘sad’ – Dr Boakye-Danquah questions political implicationsJoy Online
… estigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor says Ghana still has a long way to go in holding accountable individuals and companies responsible for severe environmental destruction, despite the conviction of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako …
Long way to go in prosecuting those behind environmental destruction – Erastus Asare DonkorThe Ghanaian Times
… Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, regarding the Samreboi mining matter. …
NPP leadership convenes emergency meeting over Chairman Wontumi’s 20 years sentenceJoy Online
Convener of the Economic Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, says any meetings or support activities organised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will not change the verdict of the court. …
NPP meetings in support of Wontumi won’t change court’s verdict – Awula SerwahJoy Online
The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has commenced a review of the court’s judgement in the case involving the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as the party considers its next steps. …
NPP convenes emergency meeting to review Samreboi judgement after Wontumi’s 20 years sentenceJoy Online
Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, has said he would have preferred the Accra High Court to impose the maximum custodial sentence of 25 years on Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly …
Wontumi should have received maximum 25-year sentence — Ken AshigbeyJoy Online
Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, has described the conviction and sentencing of Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a landmark moment in Ghana’s fig …
Wontumi’s conviction should open wider galamsey crackdown — Kenneth AshigbeyA letter writer agrees with President Mahama's crackdown on airport workers begging from visitors, but argues the nation should be equally ashamed of government-level economic mismanagement, IMF borrowing, and corruption by political leaders over the past 34 years of the 4th Republic.
31 August 2026 · Joy Online →
A letter writer agrees with President Mahama's crackdown on airport workers begging from visitors, but argues the nation should be equally ashamed of government-level economic mismanagement, IMF borrowing, and corruption by political leaders over the past 34 years of the 4th Republic.
31 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Plea bargain negotiations between Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Wontumi) and the State in an alleged GH¢30 million EXIM Bank fraud case have collapsed after the prosecution rejected his legal team's settlement proposal. The Accra High Court has ordered the prosecution to file disclosures within 14 days, and the case is now expected to proceed to trial.
27 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Political science analyst Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante says Bernard Antwi-Boasiako's withdrawal from the NPP national chairmanship race will make little or no difference to the contest, arguing the party's leadership culture favours individuals with long-standing experience and demonstrated commitment to party structures over time.
26 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), an NPP national chairmanship aspirant, has withdrawn from the race, citing his personal circumstances and a desire not to burden the party as it rebuilds following its electoral defeat. He urged support for Vice President Bawumia.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
An opinion piece by Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako compares the UK's £39bn social housebuilding programme (70,000 homes in 10 years) with Ghana's affordable housing efforts, noting that after 14 years and a $200 million loan contracted in 2012, Ghana is on track to deliver only 1,500 units by 2027.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
An opinion piece challenges President Mahama to deploy all constitutional powers to halt galamsey (illegal small-scale mining), describing it as an existential threat to Ghana's water sources and human existence, and contending that the situation has worsened since his administration took office.
25 August 2026 · Daily Guide →
An opinion piece argues that President Mahama has not adequately addressed galamsey (illegal small-scale mining) despite 20 months in office, calling it an existential threat to water sources and the nation's existence.
24 August 2026 · Joy Online →
The New Patriotic Party has accused Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie of exhibiting partisan disposition and facilitating selective justice by issuing special warrants for two High Court judges to conduct substantive criminal trials during the legal vacation. The party questioned why only these two courts were authorised to conduct full criminal trials when the affected cases involve persons associated with the NPP, arguing the decision amounted to unequal treatment.
11 August 2026 · Joy Online →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →