The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a “political prisoner” following his conviction and 20-year prison sentence in an illegal mining case.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, said the NPP strongly disagrees with the High Court’s judgment and has begun the process of appealing the decision.
Mr. Kodua said the party respects the judiciary but believes the ruling was fundamentally flawed.
“While we respect the authority of our courts, respect for the judiciary does not require silence in the face of a judgment that is fundamentally flawed,” he said.
He added that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to challenge court decisions through the appellate process.
Chairman Wontumi is serving a 20-year prison sentence after the High Court found him guilty of illegal mining offences linked to Akonta Mining Limited.
The prosecution argued that he unlawfully allowed third parties to undertake mining activities on the company’s concession without the required ministerial approval.
The NPP insists the conviction was not supported by the evidence presented during the trial.
According to Mr Kodua, it was never disputed that Chairman Wontumi lawfully acquired the mining concession.
He argued that the prosecution failed to prove that Wontumi assigned or transferred his mineral rights, claiming the conviction relied on “assumptions and inferences” rather than proof beyond reasonable doubt.
“We firmly believe that this conviction is a travesty of justice and has to be overturned on appeal,” he stated.
The NPP also accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of selectively targeting political opponents while allegedly failing to act against individuals within its own ranks who have been linked to illegal mining.
Mr. Kodua claimed the government was using the conviction as evidence of its commitment to fighting illegal mining while overlooking allegations involving members of the ruling party.
“The fight against illegal mining cannot become credible only when it targets political opponents while overlooking allegations involving others, especially from the President’s own party,” he said.
Mr. Kodua assured supporters that the party would continue to stand behind its Ashanti Regional Chairman throughout the legal process.
“Our legal team has already commenced the necessary steps to challenge this judgment through the appellate process. The NPP considers Wontumi a POLITICAL PRISONER,” he declared.
