NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako sentenced to 20 years for illegal mining
via GhanaWeb1 min read
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party NPP, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labor. This follows his conviction on all six counts related to alleged illegal mining activities. Chairman Wontumi, along with Akonta Mining Company Limited and Kwame Antwi, faced trial over their involvement in mining operations on the company's concession at Samreboi in the Western Region. The Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, delivered the judgment on July 20, 2026. The prosecution accused the defendants of unlawfully assigning mineral rights and facilitating mining activities without the necessary approvals, violating the Minerals and Mining Act. A video shows Chairman Wontumi being escorted into a prison vehicle after his sentencing.
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The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called for the repeal of Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, arguing that these provisions, which criminalize offensive conduct and the publication of false information inciting public alarm, undermine the constitutional right to freedom of speech. This call follows the arrest and one-year imprisonment of 43-year-old social media influencer Ms. Camila Alhassan, who was sentenced for comments made in TikTok videos alleging, without evidence, that President John Dramani Mahama sacrificed 32 cows for ritual purposes to win the 2024 general election. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin clarified that this move is not a license for irresponsible speech, stating that the Minority condemns such actions but opposes custodial sentences for these offenses. He highlighted that Sections 74 and 75 of the same Act already address unlawful threats. Afenyo-Markin condemned Alhassan’s arrest and imprisonment, likening it to a “recreation of criminal libel” by the government. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of all pending prosecutions under Sections 207 and 208, including a second case against Ms. Alhassan, and the release of individuals currently serving sentences under these provisions. He also sought a public commitment from the government that no citizen would face criminal prosecution for speech deemed merely critical, embarrassing, or unwelcome to those in power.
A Brussels Airlines flight, SN278, traveling from Accra to Lomé, safely returned to Accra International Airport on Monday, July 20, 2026, shortly after takeoff. The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority GCAA reported that the aircraft departed Accra at 6:06 pm but developed a technical problem during the flight. As a precautionary safety measure, the flight crew decided to return to Accra, landing safely at 6:18 pm. The GCAA commended the crew for adhering to safety protocols and assured the public of its commitment to passenger and crew safety. Brussels Airlines is currently investigating the cause of the technical fault under the GCAA's supervision. Following the incident, Brussels Airlines canceled Flight SN278, and affected passengers are receiving assistance from the airline in accordance with the Ghana Civil Aviation Economic Directives, 2019 on consumer protection. The GCAA reiterated the strength of Ghana's aviation safety and security oversight system.
Must ReadA video of New Patriotic Party NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, boasting about his wealth has resurfaced on social media. This follows his conviction and sentencing in the Samreboi illegal mining case. On Monday, July 20, 2026, an Accra High Court sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years' imprisonment with hard labour after finding him guilty on six counts related to illegal mining activities involving Akonta Mining Company Limited. In the resurfaced 2025 interview with GHOne TV's Serwaa Amihere, Wontumi claimed, "Kumasi here, I have about 100 houses. If you go to Kwadaso, there is a place I have built about 69 houses." He added, "Anything they have, I have more. I am the governor of Ashanti." The court imposed two concurrent 20-year prison terms, resulting in an effective 20-year sentence. He was also fined GH₵120,000, with a default three-year prison term if unpaid, while Akonta Mining was fined GH₵180,000. The court ordered the confiscation of excavators, water pumps, firearms, and GH₵157,000 in cash seized during investigations, citing severe environmental damage as a key reason for the sentence.