Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, Special Aide to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has revealed the final words the politician shared before he was transferred to Nsawam Prison to begin serving his 20-year prison sentence.
Chairman Wontumi was convicted on Monday, July 20, by the Criminal Division of the High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, after being found guilty on all six charges in a high-profile illegal mining (galamsey) case.
The charges included assigning mineral rights without the required ministerial approval and intentionally facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, with an additional three-year prison term to be served if the fine is not paid.
Speaking in an interview with JoyNews on Tuesday, July 21, Dr. Boakye-Danquah said the defence team was shocked by the court’s decision, explaining that they had expected the judgment to be postponed because two legal applications were still pending before the court.
“As law-abiding citizens, we always go with our lawyers and we always come out of court. We were very confident that the two motions filed by our lawyer would have been upheld by the judge,” he said.
According to him, one of the applications sought constitutional interpretation from the Supreme Court, while the second requested a stay of execution because the lead defence lawyer was out of the country and expected to return on Wednesday.
“We were not asking for the judgment not to come at all. We were asking that it be deferred until after Wednesday. Her Ladyship decided otherwise, which is why we are appealing,” he explained.
Dr. Boakye-Danquah also disclosed the emotional conversation he had with Chairman Wontumi shortly before prison officers escorted him to begin serving his sentence.
According to him, the NPP stalwart remained calm and optimistic despite the court’s decision, urging party members to remain united and focused on rebuilding the party.
“He spoke with me and asked that we work hard to bring back the party and that we should keep him in prayers. He said he is going to be okay.”
The revelation has sparked widespread reactions among supporters of the New Patriotic Party, many of whom have expressed sympathy for the Ashanti Regional Chairman while reaffirming their support for him.
Meanwhile, the NPP has strongly criticised the High Court’s judgment, arguing that the conviction was based on assumptions and inferences rather than evidence that satisfied the legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
The party has confirmed that it will appeal the decision, expressing confidence that the conviction and sentence will be overturned by a higher court.
The case continues to generate significant national attention, with many political observers closely monitoring the legal process and the outcome of the appeal.
