The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has vowed to challenge the 20-year prison sentence handed to its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, insisting the High Court’s decision was unfair and not supported by the evidence presented during the trial.
The announcement was made by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, after an emergency meeting of the NPP’s National Executive Committee on Monday, convened to discuss the judgment in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Mr. Kodua assured Chairman Wontumi that the party would stand by him and pursue every legal avenue to overturn the conviction.
“You are not alone. The New Patriotic Party stands firmly with you, and our legal team has already begun the necessary processes to challenge this judgment at the appellate court,” he said.
According to Mr. Kodua, the trial court failed to give proper weight to evidence that, in the party’s view, cleared Chairman Wontumi of wrongdoing.
“There is no justification for the judgment because the judge ignored clear evidence that exonerated Wontumi. We believe the conviction cannot stand, and we are confident the appellate process will correct this injustice,” he added.
The NPP also questioned the government’s approach to combating illegal mining, accusing it of selectively targeting opposition figures while ignoring others allegedly involved in similar activities.
Mr. Kodua argued that any campaign against illegal mining would lose public confidence if it was perceived to be politically motivated rather than applied fairly and consistently.
“The fight against illegal mining cannot be credible when it targets only persons from the opposition. Ghanaians expect leadership that demonstrates urgency, competence and an unwavering commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods and national security,” he stated.
He further accused the government of using prosecutions to shift attention away from more pressing national challenges, describing Chairman Wontumi as a “political prisoner” and assuring party supporters that the NPP would remain fully behind him throughout the appeals process.
Earlier on Monday, the Accra High Court sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of two counts in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve both at the same time.
The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on each count against Chairman Wontumi. Akonta Mining Limited, which was convicted on two counts in the same case, was fined 15,000 penalty units on each count.
