Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), says the defence has identified more than 20 grounds of appeal against his conviction, including claims that the trial judge failed to refer constitutional questions to the Supreme Court for interpretation before delivering judgement.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai rejected claims that NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako's (Chairman Wontumi) prosecution and conviction were legally flawed, arguing the defence fundamentally misunderstood the law. Dr Srem-Sai clarified that the charge was not assignment of a mining concession but allowing another party to deal with the concession without prior written ministerial approval, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Former Tamale Central MP Inusah Fuseini has argued that the 20-year prison sentence imposed on NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako for illegal mining falls within the Minerals and Mining Act as amended by Parliament in 2019, which set a sentencing range of 15 to 25 years for such offences. Fuseini noted that the NPP Majority in Parliament had rejected an earlier government proposal of 10 to 15 years as too lenient.
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 →
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 →
Parliament passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026 on July 17, establishing a legal framework for tribunals and a Tribunal Oversight Committee. The government says the Bill strengthens access to justice and due process, but the Minority, Trades Union Congress, and others oppose it, arguing it could weaken judicial independence and revive institutions linked to Ghana's painful political history.
21 July 2026 · The Chronicle →
Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to withhold assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026 and allow national consultations, arguing the proposed legislation could fundamentally alter Ghana's justice delivery system and undermine public confidence in the judiciary. Dr Bawumia expressed concern over Parliament's decision to waive the mandatory one-day interval between Consideration Stage and Third Reading, and noted that the Trades Union Congress has called for the Bill's withdrawal, claiming it could become "a potent tool for weaponising justice delivery."
21 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to withhold assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026, citing concerns that it could fundamentally alter Ghana's justice delivery system and undermine public confidence in the judiciary. Bawumia criticised Parliament's waiver of the mandatory one-day interval between consideration and third reading stages, and noted that the Trades Union Congress had called for the bill's withdrawal, describing it as a potential tool for weaponising justice delivery.
21 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →