Chairman Wontumi Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison Over Illegal Mining
Accra, Ghana – July 20, 2026
The High Court in Accra has sentenced Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to 20 years imprisonment after finding him guilty in the Samreboi illegal mining case.
The judgment, delivered on July 20, 2026 by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, brings to an end a high-profile trial that has dominated national political discourse for months.
The Case and Charges
Wontumi was standing trial alongside Akonta Mining Company Ltd and Kwame Antwi, who remains at large. The prosecution accused them of facilitating large-scale illegal mining, popularly called galamsey, in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in Samreboi, Western Region.
The court found him guilty on 6 counts. These included two counts of undertaking mining operations without a licence, felling trees in a forest reserve without a licence, erecting buildings in a forest reserve without a licence, and abetting the unauthorised felling of trees and buildings.
The prosecution told the court that the activities led to the destruction of approximately 13 hectares of protected forest land. Under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), mining without a licence carries a mandatory jail term of not less than 15 years and not more than 25 years.
Court Proceedings
The case was closed after the cross-examination of both prosecution witnesses and the accused persons. Wontumi’s legal team, led by Mr. Samuel Atta Akyea, had requested more time to file written submissions, but the court proceeded to deliver its judgment.
Wontumi had earlier been granted GH¢15 million bail with strict conditions, including depositing his passport and reporting to investigators twice a month. He was also placed on a stop list at all entry and exit points.
Separate Fraud Trial Continues
The 20-year sentence relates only to the Samreboi case. Wontumi is still standing trial in a separate GH¢30 million Exim Bank fraud case. In that matter, he faces charges of defrauding by false pretenses, uttering forged documents, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body. He has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers initiated plea bargain talks with the Attorney General in June 2026, with the court giving both sides until July 6 to report back.
Political Reactions
News of the sentence has triggered reactions across the political divide. A former NPP Vice Chairman has appealed to President John Mahama, saying ‘Father of all, please pardon Chairman Wontumi’. Legal practitioner Maurice Ampaw has also hinted that the defense team will ‘take legal steps’ to challenge the conviction.
An old 2025 interview where Wontumi stated ‘I have 100 houses in Kumasi’ has also resurfaced on social media following the ruling.
Wontumi remains in prison custody as his legal team considers an appeal.
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