The High Court in Accra has sentenced the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years’ imprisonment following his conviction in the high-profile Akonta Mining illegal mining case.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay handed down the judgment on Monday, July 20, 2026, after finding that the prosecution had proven the offences beyond reasonable doubt. Chairman Wontumi was convicted on two counts, with the court imposing 20 years’ imprisonment on each count. However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 20 years in prison.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court fined Chairman Wontumi 10,000 penalty units on each count, while Akonta Mining Limited, which was also convicted on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units for each offence.
The convictions relate to offences under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining laws, including the assignment of mineral rights without ministerial approval and facilitating illegal mining activities on the Samreboi mining concession in the Western Region. The court ruled that the evidence presented by prosecutors established the company’s involvement in unlawful mining operations.
The judgment marks one of the most significant convictions in Ghana’s ongoing fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. The case attracted nationwide attention due to Chairman Wontumi’s prominent political position and the broader government crackdown on illegal mining activities.
The ruling is expected to have major political and legal implications, with the case likely to remain a key talking point in Ghana’s efforts to combat illegal mining and strengthen enforcement of the country’s mining laws.
