Chairman Wontumi sentenced to 20 years in prison

The Accra High Court has sentenced the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years' imprisonment after finding him guilty of multiple offences related to illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay at the Criminal Division of the High Court on Monday, July 20, 2026, concludes one of Ghana's most closely watched illegal mining prosecutions and marks a significant development in the country's campaign against galamsey.

In addition to the custodial sentence, the court fined Mr Antwi-Boasiako 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000. Should he fail to pay the fine, he will serve a default sentence of three years' imprisonment.

The court ordered that the custodial sentence and the default prison term attached to the fine run concurrently.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay had earlier convicted Chairman Wontumi on all six counts brought against him, including assigning mineral rights without the required approval and deliberately facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended. The 20-year sentence falls within the statutory sentencing range of 15 to 25 years prescribed for the offences.

The High Court also convicted Akonta Mining Company Limited, the company linked to Chairman Wontumi, on related charges.

Rather than imposing a custodial sanction, the court ordered the company to pay financial penalties after considering mitigating circumstances.

The ruling means the company will pay fines while its controlling director serves the custodial sentence.

Before sentencing, Chairman Wontumi's legal team, led by Samuel Atta Akyea, appealed to the court to exercise leniency.

The defence argued that the court should impose the minimum statutory sentence of 15 years, citing several mitigating factors, including:

• His cooperation with investigators throughout the trial.
• His regular attendance in court.
• His expression of remorse.
• His status as a first-time offender.
• His contributions to his family, community and the nation.

Despite these submissions, the court imposed a 20-year custodial sentence after considering arguments from both the defence and prosecution.

The prosecution stemmed from a major anti-illegal mining operation conducted by the police at the Samreboi concession on April 16 and 17, 2025.

The operation led to the arrest of Michael Ayisi Gyedu and 28 other suspects.

Security officers also recovered a significant quantity of equipment and exhibits, including:

• 25 serviceable excavators
• Firearms
• Vehicles
• GH¢157,000 in cash

According to prosecutors, Chairman Wontumi, as the owner and controlling director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, permitted mining operations on the concession without obtaining the required approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

Throughout the trial, the defence rejected the prosecution's allegations.

Lawyers for Chairman Wontumi argued that he never authorised illegal mining on the concession and maintained that individuals found at the site had been engaged solely for land reclamation and coconut plantation activities rather than mineral extraction.

The High Court, however, concluded that the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt before entering convictions and proceeding to sentencing.

Although judgment has been delivered, the legal proceedings are not entirely concluded.

The Republic is seeking a forfeiture order covering assets seized during the police operation, including excavators, firearms, vehicles and cash recovered from the concession.

The High Court is expected to determine that application in a subsequent ruling.