Chairman Wontumi, also known as Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was given a 20-year prison sentence by the Accra High Court for engaging in illegal mining operations on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
One of Ghana’s most closely monitored unlawful mining cases was brought to a conclusion on Monday, July 20, 2026, when Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, the judge of the High Court’s Criminal Division, issued the verdict shortly after 11:40 a.m.
The court also imposed a 10,000 penalty unit fine, or GH¢120,000, with a three-year prison term if the fine is not paid.
The fine will be subject to the custodial sentence and the default term concurrently.
Justice Kocuvie-Tay had earlier convicted Antwi-Boasiako on all six charges, which included assigning mineral rights without authorization and intentionally assisting an unlicensed mining operation in violation of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
According to the law, the offenses carry a statutory sentence range of 15 to 25 years, and the 20-year sentence is within that range.
The court also gave Mr. Antwi-Boasiako’s company, Akonta Mining Company Limited, a financial fine instead of a custodial term.
After considering mitigating circumstances, the court mandated the corporation, which had faced comparable allegations, to pay penalty units.
The company will not face the same custodial sentence as its managing director due to this ruling.
Samuel Atta Akyea lead attorney for the defendant asked the court to temper justice with mercy before Mr. Antwi-Boasiako’s sentencing.
The defence pleaded with the court to take into account the minimal sentence of 15 years, saying that Mr. Antwi-Boasiako had shown regret, worked with investigators, and attended court on a regular basis throughout the trial.
Additionally, the attorneys portrayed him as a man with no prior criminal history who had supported his nation and community.
After hearing arguments from the defence and prosecution, the court nonetheless gave a 20-year imprisonment sentence.
The incident occurred as a result of a police anti-illegal mining operation carried out at the Samreboi concession between April 16 and April 17, 2025.
Michael Ayisi Gyedu and 28 others were taken into custody as a result of the operation. Authorities seized a number of items, including 25 functioning excavators, firearms, automobiles, and GH¢157,000 in cash.
As the owner and managing director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, Mr. Antwi-Boasiako allowed mining operations to continue on the concession without the necessary permission from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, according to the prosecution.
However, the defense stated that Mr. Antwi-Boasiako never approved mining and that anyone discovered on the property was solely engaged in land reclamation and coconut cultivation.
The Republic also seeks a forfeiture order for items recovered from the concession, including firearms, excavators, vehicles, and cash.
In a later judgment, the court is expected to rule on that application.
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