The New Patriotic Party has strongly rejected the conviction and 20-year prison sentence handed to its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Following an emergency National Executive Committee meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026, the party declared its full support for the embattled businessman and politician, insisting that the High Court’s decision was not supported by sufficient evidence.
NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong announced the party’s position at a press conference in Accra, describing the judgment as fundamentally flawed and confirming that steps were being taken to challenge it before the Court of Appeal.
NPP Questions Evidence Behind Wontumi’s Conviction
According to the NPP, it was never disputed during the trial that Chairman Wontumi had legally acquired the mining concession connected to the case.
The party maintained that the central issue was whether Wontumi or his company, Akonta Mining Limited, unlawfully transferred or assigned mineral rights to other individuals without the required approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
Justin Kodua argued that the prosecution failed to present direct evidence establishing that such an illegal transfer had occurred. He claimed the conviction was instead built on assumptions and conclusions that did not meet the standard required to prove a criminal case beyond reasonable doubt.
The NPP therefore labelled the judgment a “travesty of justice” and expressed confidence that it could be overturned through the appellate process.
Party Declares Wontumi a Political Prisoner
The party went further by describing Chairman Wontumi as a “political prisoner,” raising allegations that the illegal-mining prosecution was part of a wider campaign targeting leading opposition figures.
The NPP accused the government of selectively pursuing members of the opposition while allegedly failing to demonstrate the same determination in dealing with illegal-mining allegations involving people connected to the governing administration.
However, the party stressed that its criticism of the verdict should not be interpreted as an attack on the judiciary. It said challenging a court decision through an appeal was a constitutional right available to every person who believes a judgment was reached incorrectly.
High Court Relied on Circumstantial Evidence
The Accra High Court convicted Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited over activities connected to the company’s Samreboi concession.
The court concluded that Wontumi knowingly allowed other individuals to conduct mining activities on the concession without obtaining the necessary ministerial approval. It also rejected his explanation that permission had only been granted for land reclamation and coconut planting.
The judge relied partly on circumstantial evidence and found that Wontumi was the central figure controlling the company’s operations during the period under investigation. His two 20-year sentences will run concurrently, meaning he is expected to serve 20 years unless the conviction is overturned.
With the NPP now preparing for an appeal, the battle over Chairman Wontumi’s freedom has moved beyond the High Court.
The conviction has shaken the party’s powerful Ashanti Regional structure, but the NPP insists the case is far from over as it prepares for another major legal showdown.
