Remain calm and united - NPP tells its members after Wontumi's jailing

The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on its members and supporters across the country to remain calm, united and disciplined following the conviction and 20-year prison sentence imposed on the party's Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The appeal comes as the party's national leadership, its 2028 presidential flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the NPP's legal team meet to assess the High Court's judgment and determine the next legal and political steps.

In a statement signed by the party's General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, the NPP disclosed that it is undertaking a comprehensive review of the judgment before announcing its official position.

According to the statement, the party intends to carefully study the ruling and decide on the most appropriate course of action.

"The Party will communicate its official position and the decisions arising from these deliberations in due course."

The party indicated that further information would be made available after consultations among its leadership and legal representatives.

While the review process continues, the NPP has appealed to its supporters to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could undermine party unity.

Mr Kodua urged members to stand firmly behind the leadership during what he described as a difficult period for the party.

"In the meantime, I respectfully urge all members of our great Party to rally behind the leadership during this challenging moment. Let us remain calm, united, disciplined, and steadfast in our commitment to the values and interests of the New Patriotic Party," the statement said.

The appeal follows growing reactions from party faithful after the court's decision.

Earlier on Monday, July 20, the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court found Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited guilty of offences related to illegal mining activities at the company's concession in Samreboi in the Western Region.

The court sentenced Mr Antwi Boasiako to 20 years' imprisonment after convicting him on charges including assigning mineral rights without the approval of the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources and facilitating unlicensed mining operations.

The sentence falls within the statutory punishment prescribed under Ghana's Minerals and Mining Act.

Before the judgment was delivered, lead defence counsel Samuel Atta Akyea applied for an adjournment, explaining that he was outside the country and expected to return on July 22.

However, presiding judge Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay dismissed the application, stating that both the prosecution and defence had been consulted when the judgment date was fixed.

According to the judge, the defence had ample opportunity to indicate any scheduling difficulties before the date was confirmed.

The court also rejected an application seeking to defer the judgment and refer constitutional questions raised by the defence to the Supreme Court for interpretation.

With the conviction now delivered, the NPP is widely expected to pursue an appeal through the Court of Appeal as it seeks to overturn the High Court's decision.

Party officials have maintained that they remain committed to exhausting all available legal avenues while urging supporters to remain peaceful throughout the judicial process.