Email 42
Ghanaian media personality Afia Schwarzenegger has reacted triumphantly following the sentencing of Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years in prison.
Shortly after news of the High Court’s decision emerged on Monday, July 20, 2026, Afia Schwar took to social media with a brief but pointed message: “The law is the law!” Her reaction was widely interpreted as a celebration of the dramatic legal blow suffered by her longtime rival.
The Accra High Court convicted Chairman Wontumi on two counts connected to illegal mining activities involving Akonta Mining Limited. He received two separate 20-year sentences, which will run concurrently, meaning he is expected to serve a total of 20 years. The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on each count.
According to the judgment, the prosecution successfully proved that mineral rights had been assigned without the required approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. The court further held that Wontumi facilitated unlawful mining operations on the company’s concession.
Afia Schwarzenegger’s reaction has attracted considerable attention because of the bitter history between the pair. Their public dispute intensified in 2022 after Wontumi sued the outspoken entertainer over claims she made about their alleged relationship. The controversy later resulted in Afia Schwar being convicted of contempt of court and initially sentenced to 10 days in prison. That punishment was subsequently replaced with a GH¢60,000 fine, while she was also ordered to pay GH¢5,000 to Chairman Wontumi and sign a 36-month bond of good behaviour. Against that background, her latest message appeared loaded with personal meaning, reigniting memories of their highly publicised courtroom confrontation. While Wontumi’s supporters have expressed shock and disappointment over the lengthy sentence, his critics have described the ruling as a powerful warning against illegal mining and the unauthorised transfer of mineral rights. Afia Schwar’s celebratory reaction has now added another explosive entertainment angle to a judgment already dominating Ghana’s political and media landscape.
