Chairman Wontumi sentenced to 20 years in prison for illegal mining

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 over illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, who presided over the Criminal Division of the High Court, delivered the sentence shortly after 11:40 am on Monday, July 20, 2026, bringing to an end one of Ghana’s most closely watched illegal mining prosecutions.

The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000, with a default sentence of three years’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid.

The custodial sentence and the default term attached to the fine will run concurrently.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay had earlier found Mr Antwi-Boasiako guilty on all six counts, including assigning mineral rights without approval and purposely 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 range of between 15 and 25 years prescribed under the law for the offences.

The court also showed leniency towards Akonta Mining Company Limited, the company linked to Mr Antwi-Boasiako, imposing a financial penalty instead of a custodial sentence.

The company, which faced similar charges, was ordered to pay penalty units after the court considered mitigating circumstances.

The decision means the company will not receive the same custodial punishment imposed on its controlling director.

Before sentencing, Mr Antwi-Boasiako’s lawyers, led by Samuel Atta Akyea, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

The defence urged the court to consider the minimum sentence of 15 years, arguing that Mr Antwi-Boasiako had shown remorse, cooperated with investigators and consistently appeared before the court throughout the trial.

The lawyers also described him as a family man with no previous criminal record who had contributed to his community and the country.

However, the court imposed a 20-year custodial term after considering submissions from both the defence and prosecution.

Background to the case

The case arose from a police anti-illegal mining operation conducted at the Samreboi concession on April 16 and 17, 2025.

The operation led to the arrest of Michael Ayisi Gyedu and 28 others, with authorities recovering several items, including 25 serviceable excavators, firearms, vehicles and cash amounting to GH¢157,000.

The prosecution argued that Mr Antwi-Boasiako, as owner and controlling director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, permitted mining activities to take place on the concession without the required approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

The defence, however, maintained that Mr Antwi-Boasiako never authorised mining activities and that persons found on the concession were engaged only for land reclamation and coconut plantation activities.

The Republic is also seeking a forfeiture order for items retrieved from the concession, including excavators, firearms, vehicles and cash.

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

Source: myjoyonline.com