The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a “political prisoner.”
The statement comes after Chairman Wontumi was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison in an illegal mining case.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, said the party strongly disagrees with the High Court’s ruling. He said the party has already started the process of appealing the decision at the Court of Appeal.
“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,” Mr Kodua said, insisting that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to challenge judicial decisions through the appellate process.
Chairman Wontumi is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after the High Court found him guilty in connection with illegal mining involving Akonta Mining Limited.
According to the prosecution, he allowed other people to mine on the company’s concession without the ministerial approval required by law.
However, the NPP believes the evidence presented during the trial did not support the court’s decision.
Mr Kodua said there was no disagreement that Chairman Wontumi legally acquired the mining concession. He argued that the prosecution failed to prove that Wontumi had transferred or assigned his mineral rights.
According to him, the conviction was based on “assumptions and inferences” instead of 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 ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of targeting political opponents while failing to take action against people within its own party who have been linked to illegal mining.
Mr Kodua claimed the government was using Wontumi’s conviction as a “trophy” to show it is serious about fighting illegal mining while ignoring allegations against members of the ruling party.
He also questioned the progress of investigations into several people the NPP says have been linked to galamsey.
He stressed that justice should be fair and applied equally to everyone.
“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 party supporters that the NPP would continue to stand by Chairman Wontumi 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.
