Omanghana
Deputy National Director of environmental advocacy organization A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu, has rejected claims that the conviction of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, was politically motivated.
Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Bosu said the court’s decision should be viewed as a legal consequence of activities connected to illegal mining rather than an attempt to persecute a prominent opposition figure.
Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, was reportedly sentenced to 20 years in prison over illegal mining activities associated with Akonta Mining.
The ruling has sparked criticism from some NPP supporters, who have described the punishment as excessive and accused President John Dramani Mahama’s administration of using state institutions to target political opponents.
Bosu, however, dismissed that interpretation, arguing that Wontumi’s political position did not place him above the law. He maintained that the judgment was based on the evidence and legal issues presented before the court.
According to him, Wontumi was simply “facing the tune of what he set in motion” after being found liable in connection with illegal operations carried out on his mining concession.
Bosu said the case should serve as a reminder that individuals granted mining concessions have a responsibility to ensure that activities within their operational areas comply with Ghana’s mining and environmental laws.
He acknowledged that the conviction may not have fully addressed the scale of the environmental damage reportedly caused on the ground. Nonetheless, he described the outcome as an important step towards strengthening accountability in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The environmental advocate said the wider significance of the ruling would depend on whether the state applies the same determination to other influential individuals linked to illegal mining, regardless of their political affiliations.
He questioned whether authorities would aggressively pursue other alleged galamsey operators and financiers with the same level of commitment demonstrated in Wontumi’s case.
Bosu’s comments add to a growing debate over whether Ghana’s anti-galamsey campaign can succeed without consistent investigations, prosecutions and penalties across the political divide.
Illegal mining has caused extensive destruction to forests, farmlands and water bodies across several parts of the country. Environmental groups have repeatedly demanded stronger enforcement of mining regulations and the prosecution of politically connected individuals accused of supporting unlawful operations.
Government officials and legal professionals have also rejected assertions that Wontumi’s prosecution was driven by partisan interests.
Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai reportedly argued that the case was determined on evidence before the court, including material presented by Wontumi’s defence team. Some opposition lawmakers have also acknowledged that the investigation began while the NPP was still in government.
Bosu urged the public to focus on the legal and environmental implications of the case instead of reducing the ruling to a contest between the governing National Democratic Congress and the opposition NPP.
He stressed that the credibility of Ghana’s fight against illegal mining will ultimately be measured by the state’s willingness to investigate and prosecute all offenders fairly, irrespective of their political influence, wealth or social standing.
Source: Omanghana
