Bernard Antwi Boasiako, chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti region branch and known as “Chairman Wontumi,” received a 20-year prison sentence with hard labour following his conviction on illegal mining charges. The court also imposed fines exceeding $10,000. Boasiako displayed visible shock when the judge delivered the sentence in Accra on Monday.
The conviction centred on charges of assigning mineral rights without proper authorization and facilitating unlicensed mining operations through his company, Akonta Mining. Prosecutors presented evidence that Boasiako permitted two individuals, Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi, to conduct mining activities on the company’s concession without ministerial approval. Boasiako had maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
The NPP characterized the judgement as politically motivated and lacking credible evidence of wrongdoing. Party general secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong stated that anti-illegal mining efforts lose credibility when targeting political opponents without sufficient evidence, and indicated the party would pursue legal challenges to overturn the conviction.
Environmental advocates expressed support for the verdict, viewing it as a deterrent against other politicians and business figures involved in financing illegal mining activities. Adib Saani, representing the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building, noted the conviction signals governmental commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources and forests.
This case represents the first conviction of a senior Ghanaian politician for illegal mining since enforcement efforts began in 2017. The practice, locally termed “galamsey,” has substantially contaminated Ghana’s waterways and environment. Despite multiple government interventions, including military deployment, the problem has persisted across the nation, which ranks as Africa’s leading gold producer.