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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 for offences related to illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, presiding over the Criminal Division of the High Court, delivered the sentence shortly after 11:40 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, bringing to a close one of Ghana’s most high-profile prosecutions involving illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on Mr. Antwi-Boasiako. The court further ordered that should he fail to pay the fine, he would serve an additional three-year prison term. However, the court ruled that the custodial sentence and the default sentence attached to the fine would run concurrently.
Before sentencing, Justice Kocuvie-Tay found Chairman Wontumi guilty on all six charges brought against him, including assigning mineral rights without the required approval and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
The court noted that the 20-year sentence falls within the statutory punishment prescribed under the law, which provides for imprisonment ranging from 15 to 25 years for the offences committed.
Akonta Mining Fined
The High Court also convicted Akonta Mining Company Limited, the company associated with Chairman Wontumi. Unlike its controlling director, however, the company was handed a financial penalty after the court considered mitigating factors presented during sentencing.
The ruling means the company escaped a custodial punishment, although it remains liable to pay the court-imposed penalty.
Defence Pleads for Leniency
Before the sentence was pronounced, defence counsel Samuel Atta Akyea appealed to the court to exercise mercy by imposing the minimum sentence of 15 years.
The defence argued that Chairman Wontumi had cooperated with investigators throughout the trial, demonstrated remorse, attended court proceedings consistently and had no previous criminal convictions. Counsel also described him as a devoted family man who had made significant contributions to his community and the nation.
Despite those submissions, the court concluded that a 20-year custodial sentence was appropriate after considering arguments from both the defence and the prosecution.
How the Case Started
The prosecution stemmed from a police anti-illegal mining operation conducted on April 16 and 17, 2025, at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Michael Ayisi Gyedu and 28 other suspects. Security agencies also seized 25 excavators, firearms, vehicles and cash amounting to GH¢157,000 during the exercise.
According to the prosecution, Chairman Wontumi, as owner and controlling director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, unlawfully permitted mining activities on the concession without obtaining the approval required from the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources.
The defence maintained throughout the trial that Chairman Wontumi never authorised illegal mining, insisting that the individuals found on the concession had only been engaged to undertake land reclamation and establish coconut plantations.
Forfeiture Proceedings Pending
The Republic has also filed an application seeking the forfeiture of the excavators, firearms, vehicles and cash recovered during the operation. The High Court is expected to rule on that application at a later date.
Political Implications
The conviction is expected to have far-reaching political consequences for the New Patriotic Party, as Chairman Wontumi is one of its most influential regional leaders and had publicly declared his intention to contest for the position of National Chairman.
Although the NPP had earlier defended him, maintaining that its internal assessment found no wrongdoing, the court’s judgment marks a significant development in Ghana’s campaign against illegal mining and reinforces efforts to hold individuals accountable regardless of their political status.
Chairman Wontumi retains the constitutional right to challenge both his conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal and, if necessary, the Supreme Court. The case is expected to become a landmark reference in Ghana’s legal and environmental fight against illegal mining.
