Also known as: Bernard Boasiako Antwi · Mr Boasiako · Benard Antwi-Boasiako
NPP politician convicted of mining-related and fraud charges; received 20-year sentence and deemed constitutionally ineligible for party office.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… For years, Chairman Wontumi was one of those political figures whose voice seemed capable of shaking Kumasi before an earthquake could even clear its throat. …
When the Gavel speaks, where is the choir that once sang for Wontumi?The Ghanaian Times
… The party further alleged selective justice, pointing to what it described as the alacrity with which warrants are issued in political cases involving NPP members, citing the incarceration of Chairman Wontumi. …
NPP accuses Chief Justice of partisan politics, demands his resignationJoy Online
For all persons cultivating the interesting idea of how the embattled Chairman Wontumi would be permitted to leave the Nsawam Prison to attend vetting at the NPP Headquarters at Asylum Down, Accra, I hate to burst your bubble but Wontumi is NOT eligible to contest any executive p …
Can Chairman Wontumi contest NPP National Chairman?The Chronicle
… Srem Sai is being threatened after jailing Chairman Wontumi. Why should it be the case? …
Feature: Are Public Tribunals ‘Kangaroo Courts’ As Perceived By Afenyo-Markin?Joy Online
… This was his third attempt after losing to the former Regional chairman, Benard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, on two occasions. …
Odeneho Kwaku Appiah beats former EPA boss Kokofu, to emerge NPP Ashanti chairJoy Online
There is an old legal truth that deserves renewed attention: “Justice delayed is not justice denied where the law permits prosecution, but justice obstructed by power is a betrayal of the Republic.” Chairman Wontumi’s conviction is therefore not merely about one individual. …
When Chairman Wontumi’s 20-year sentence marks a turning point in the fight against political impunityJoy Online
Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has rejected claims that Chairman Wontumi’s legal team was prevented from arguing pending applications before the High Court before his conviction and sentencing. …
Wontumi’s lawyers only sought an adjournment, not to move motions – Deputy AGJoy Online
… Despite President Mahama’s assertion in October 2024 that arresting kingpins is crucial to success, CAGG argues that almost 19 months into his term, no significant prosecutions of politically exposed persons have occurred, with the notable exception of Chairman Wontumi. …
CAGG rejects claim that galamsey impunity is over, demands tougher action against illegal minersJoy Online
… Mr Awuah cited the bail conditions imposed on the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as well as the recent GH¢50 million bail granted to former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD) …
NPP not against investigations, but use of bail to intimidate opposition – Baffuor AwuahJoy Online
… Despite these gains, Madam Serwah expressed concern about the pace of prosecutions in the fight against illegal mining, questioning why prominent individuals suspected of financing or facilitating galamsey activities have not been held accountable. “Apart from Chairman Wontumi be …
Achimota Forest protection commendable, but galamsey fight must target masterminds — Awula SerwahAn opinion piece reflecting on Chairman Wontumi's fall from political prominence following legal action, arguing that power is fleeting while character endures, and that loyalists quickly abandon politicians once their fortunes change.
1 October 2026 · Joy Online →
An opinion piece reflecting on Chairman Wontumi's fall from political prominence following legal action, arguing that power is fleeting while character endures, and that loyalists quickly abandon politicians once their fortunes change.
1 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The NPP has accused the Chief Justice of descending into partisan politics after a video in which he allegedly praised an NDC government parastatal as performing better than the previous NPP administration, citing the Constitution's requirements for judicial independence and claiming a pattern of the Chief Justice attending functions of current government appointees.
3 September 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
An analysis argues that Chairman Wontumi is not eligible to contest any executive position of a political party in Ghana, citing constitutional provisions on eligibility criteria for political party officials and the implications of criminal conviction and sentencing.
22 August 2026 · Joy Online →
The article argues that public tribunals, contrary to criticism from figures like Afenyo-Markin, delivered justice under the PNDC government by successfully prosecuting and jailing corrupt high-ranking politicians, and defends their establishment against claims of unfairness.
20 August 2026 · The Chronicle →
Odeneho Kwaku Appiah won the New Patriotic Party's regional executive elections in Ashanti with 663 votes, defeating former EPA chief Henry Kwabena Kokofu's 269 votes. The newly elected leadership is expected to lead the party's mobilisation and restructuring efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
15 August 2026 · Joy Online →
An opinion piece argues that Chairman Wontumi's 20-year sentence represents a turning point in enforcing the law against politically connected figures, and calls for scrutiny of former officials over their handling of illegal mining complaints allegedly involving politically exposed persons.
22 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai rejected claims that Chairman Wontumi's legal team was barred from arguing pending applications before conviction, stating that substitute lawyers informed the court their sole instruction was to seek an adjournment, not to move motions.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Coalition Against Galamsey Ghana rejected the government's assertion that the era of impunity regarding illegal mining is over, citing escalating lawlessness in the Eastern Region and calling for equal enforcement against all illegal miners, including politically exposed persons and kingpins.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
An NPP member of Parliament's Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee says the party is not against investigations, but against the use of bail conditions to intimidate opposition figures, citing examples including bail conditions imposed on the Ashanti Regional Chairman and a GH¢50 million bail granted to a former executive secretary.
17 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Eco-Conscious Citizens coordinator Awula Serwah has praised the revocation of Executive Instrument 144, which restores the Achimota Forest Reserve to full protected status, but calls for government to prosecute powerful individuals and politically exposed persons behind illegal mining rather than focusing only on small-scale operators.
15 July 2026 · Joy Online →
A guest speaker at the University of Ghana's Media and Information Literacy Club launch stressed the importance of thorough verification of information before accepting it, citing how visual similarity—such as a logo missing key identifying elements—does not constitute authenticity.
19 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Bernard Boasiako Antwi (Chairman Wontumi), an NPP national chairman hopeful, faces fresh criminal charges for causing financial loss of more than GH¢30 million to Ghana Export-Import Bank. He and his co-accused are charged with defrauding by false pretence, money laundering, and uttering forged documents in connection with a farming project for which EXIM Bank allegedly disbursed various sums.
19 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
A mining engineer testifying for Chairman Wontumi's defence told the court that Ghana's mining laws require formal procedures and ministerial approval for assignment of mineral rights, and that verbal permission cannot constitute a valid transfer. Wontumi faces six counts of allegedly permitting mining on his concession without prior ministerial approval and facilitating unlicensed mining.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →