Deputy Director of IT and Elections of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Rashid Tanko Computer, has described the 20-year prison sentence handed to New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as lenient.
His comments follow the Accra High Court’s decision to sentence Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment after convicting him over illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
Calls for maximum sentence
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Monday, July 20, Mr Tanko said the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining justified the maximum punishment under the law.
According to him, communities affected by illegal mining continue to suffer from polluted water bodies and exposure to harmful substances.
“If I were expecting, in fact, I was expecting about 25. He should have taken the 25. The judge was lenient to have given him the 20 years,” he said.
Environmental impact
Mr. Tanko argued that the damage caused by illegal mining should be a major consideration when assessing the punishment imposed on offenders.
“People are talking about 20 years, but they are not looking at the effect of the dangers they have caused to these communities,” he stated.
He maintained that the sentence should serve as a warning to others involved in illegal mining activities.
‘A deterrent to others’
Mr. Tanko said the conviction sends a strong message that those who destroy the environment for personal gain will be held accountable.
“This conviction will serve as a deterrent to others who think that they can get away with this just because of their own parochial interest,” he said.
He added that the state has a duty to protect citizens and ensure that individuals whose actions endanger lives and damage the country’s natural resources face the full force of the law.
