NPP declares Wontumi a ‘political prisoner’, vows to appeal conviction

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a "political prisoner" following his conviction and 20-year prison sentence over illegal mining activities.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, the party's General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, said the NPP fundamentally disagrees with the High Court's judgment and has already begun the process of challenging the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

Mr. Kodua stressed that although the NPP respects the authority and independence of the judiciary, it believes the judgment delivered against Chairman Wontumi was deeply flawed and should be overturned through the legal process.

While we respect the authority of our courts, respect for the judiciary does not require silence in the face of a judgment that is fundamentally flawed," he said.

He noted that Ghana's Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to appeal court decisions and insisted that the party would pursue all available legal avenues to seek justice for its Ashanti Regional Chairman.

Chairman Wontumi is currently serving a 20-year custodial sentence after the High Court found him guilty on charges linked to illegal mining operations involving Akonta Mining Limited.

The prosecution successfully argued that he unlawfully permitted third parties to undertake mining activities on the company's concession without obtaining the mandatory approval from the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act.

However, the NPP maintains that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt.

According to Mr. Kodua, there was never any dispute over the legality of Chairman Wontumi's acquisition of the mining concession.

He argued that prosecutors failed to prove that the concession had been assigned or transferred illegally, insisting that the conviction rested on assumptions rather than concrete evidence.

We firmly believe that this conviction is a travesty of justice and has to be overturned on appeal," he stated.

The party believes the evidence presented during the trial did not justify the guilty verdict and remains confident that the Court of Appeal will review the case objectively.

The NPP also accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of applying the law selectively by targeting political opponents while allegedly overlooking individuals within its own ranks who have been linked to illegal mining activities.

Mr. Kodua argued that the government's anti-galamsey campaign would only be credible if it was enforced fairly, regardless of political affiliation.

He questioned the status of investigations involving individuals whom the opposition claims have been associated with illegal mining but have not faced prosecution.

"The fight against illegal mining cannot become credible only when it targets political opponents... while overlooking allegations involving others, especially from the President's own party," he said.

According to him, justice must be impartial and applied consistently to all citizens.

Mr. Kodua assured party supporters that the NPP would stand firmly behind Chairman Wontumi throughout the appeal process.

He disclosed that the party's legal team has already initiated the necessary legal procedures to challenge both the conviction and the sentence.

"Our legal team has already commenced the necessary steps to challenge this judgment through the appellate process. The NPP considers Wontumi a POLITICAL PRISONER," he declared.

The appeal is expected to test the legal basis of the High Court's decision as the opposition seeks to overturn one of the most significant convictions arising from Ghana's intensified crackdown on illegal mining.