NPP Ashanti Region Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako seeks bail pending appeal
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Region Chairman of the New Patriotic Party NPP, has filed an application with the High Court in Accra requesting his release on bail. He is currently serving a 20-year jail term. The application, submitted through his lawyers and signed by lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea, cites Section 961 of Act 30 and Section 331 of Act 459. The court document indicates that the matter will be heard on August 19, 2026. Chairman Wontumi was convicted by Criminal Court 4 of the High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, on charges under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 Act 703, as amended by the Minerals and Mining Amendment Act, 2020 Act 995. He was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment, with all custodial terms running concurrently, and fined 10,000 penalty units on each of six counts. Akonta Mining Limited, also convicted on two counts, received a fine of 15,000 penalty units per count. The prosecution alleged that Chairman Wontumi unlawfully assigned mineral rights on Akonta Mining's concession in Samreboi, Western Region, without ministerial approval, and facilitated unauthorized mining activities.
