Chairman Wontumi Convicted Over Illegal Mining Activities at Samreboi Concession
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been convicted by the Accra High Court for assigning mineral rights without the required approval and intentionally facilitating illegal mining activities at his mining concession in Samreboi.
The court found that Chairman Wontumi unlawfully transferred or assigned mineral rights without obtaining the necessary authorization from the relevant state authorities, an action that contravenes Ghana’s mining laws. He was also found guilty of deliberately enabling illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey,” at the concession.
The case forms part of Ghana’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, which has severely affected the country’s forests, rivers, and farmlands. Authorities have intensified investigations and prosecutions in recent years as part of a broader campaign to protect the environment and ensure that mining activities comply with the law.
Chairman Wontumi, who is also a businessman with interests in the mining sector, has been a prominent political figure within the NPP. His conviction is expected to generate significant public and political attention, given his influential role in the party.
The ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to enforcing Ghana’s mining regulations and holding individuals accountable, regardless of their political or social standing. It also sends a strong signal that violations involving mineral rights and illegal mining will face legal consequences.
The court is expected to proceed with the appropriate sentencing or any subsequent legal processes in accordance with the law. The outcome of the case is likely to reignite national discussions on accountability, illegal mining, and the enforcement of environmental and mining regulations in Ghana.
