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Court of Appeal dismisses Wontumi's attempt to halt Samreboi mining trial
via GhanaWeb4 min read
The Court of Appeal has rejected an application by lawyers for Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, to stop his ongoing criminal trial at an Accra High Court. The court ruled on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, that the application did not present sufficient exceptional circumstances to justify a stay of proceedings, allowing the substantive case to continue at the High Court. Chairman Wontumi's legal team had sought to suspend the trial pending the outcome of an appeal against an earlier decision. Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal have now denied this request. Chairman Wontumi's lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, stated that the defense team is reviewing the ruling and considering options, including an appeal to the Supreme Court or proceeding with the defense at the High Court. Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited face six charges related to allegedly permitting unlicensed mining activities on the company's concession without ministerial approval.
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The New Patriotic Party NPP has accused the Mahama administration of attempting to use the conviction of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, as a political "trophy." In a statement dated July 20, 2026, the NPP argued that Wontumi's conviction should not be celebrated as proof of the government's commitment to fighting illegal mining, claiming that similar allegations involving individuals linked to the governing National Democratic Congress NDC have not received the same attention. The party alleged selective application of justice, questioning why investigations into illegal mining activities involving some NDC officials have not progressed with similar urgency. The NPP stated that the prosecution failed to provide evidence that Wontumi unlawfully assigned or transferred his mineral concession, asserting that the conviction was based on assumptions rather than proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Describing the judgment as a "travesty of justice," the NPP announced that its legal team had begun the process of appealing the High Court鈥檚 decision and reaffirmed its support for Chairman Wontumi, maintaining he was wrongfully convicted and calling him a "political prisoner."
The government has unveiled the Teacher Dabre Initiative, a plan to construct 50,000 housing units nationwide to alleviate accommodation challenges for teachers, particularly those in rural areas. Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced this on July 20, 2026, during the Government Accountability Series. The program will be implemented through a decentralized approach, with the District Assemblies Common Fund leading efforts at regional and district levels. The Ministry of Education will secure additional funding, and the government is considering using pension fund resources under the Ghana Secondary School Pension GSOP as collateral. In addition to housing, the government is finalizing a financial incentive, a 20% allowance, for teachers who accept postings to rural and hard-to-reach areas. These initiatives aim to enhance teachers' working and living conditions and address the challenge of attracting and retaining qualified educators in rural communities, reinforcing the government's commitment to teacher welfare for improved education quality.
Must ReadPrivate legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has characterized the 20-year prison sentence given to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, as a "victory for Ghana." Speaking on Asempa FM, Kpebu clarified that the conviction was based on evidence, not solely a confession. He explained that assigning mineral rights or giving out land without proper written approval constitutes an offense under Ghana's mining laws. Kpebu emphasized that the court's judgment was supported by evidence presented during cross-examination. He also noted that mining operators must follow established procedures for land reclamation, including working with the Minerals Commission. Kpebu expressed his expectation for more convictions of individuals involved in illegal mining. These comments follow Chairman Wontumi's sentencing to 20 years with hard labor after his conviction in an illegal mining case related to Akonta Mining Company Limited.