In brief
Ghana’s leading opposition party has expressed outrage after Bernard Antwi Boasiako, a senior NPP figure, was convicted of illegal mining offences and sentenced to 20 years of hard labour plus a fine of over $10,000. The judge found him guilty of assigning mineral rights without permission and aiding unlicensed mining operations. The case marks the first conviction of a senior politician since the 2017 crackdown on illegal “galamsey” activities. Environmental groups welcomed the verdict, viewing it as a deterrent against political corruption. The NPP confirms it will challenge the ruling in court.
In a controversial ruling by a court in Accra, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was handed a 20‑year prison term with hard labour for illegal mining activities. His case came to light after the NPP became the first opposition party in Ghana to see a senior official convicted since the 2017 crackdown on unregulated “galamsey” mining.
For Boasiako, known among supporters as "Chairman Wontumi," the sentence brings a significant 10,000 US dollar fine. A judge found him guilty of *assigning mineral rights without approval* and *facilitating an unlicensed mining operation* through his company, Akonta Mining.
"The fight against illegal mining cannot become credible only when it targets political opponents in respect of whom evidence of wrongdoing does not exist," the party’s general secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, told reporters.The ruling has sparked a wave of anger among NPP members, who accuse the judiciary of political bias. Frimpong affirmed that the party’s lawyers are already preparing a challenge to the verdict, citing lack of proof for the alleged mining malpractices.In contrast, environmental advocates welcomed the outcome as a necessary step to protect Ghana’s forests, rivers and other natural resources. "It sends a strong signal that accountability is indispensable if Ghana is to protect its forests, rivers and other natural resources," said Adib Saani, executive director of the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building.Illegal mining has long plagued Ghana, the continent’s largest gold producer. Despite repeated attempts by successive governments – even deploying the military – the activity continues to pollute waterways and degrade ecosystems. The use of the term "galamsey," derived from local slang, underscores the severity of the problem.The conviction’s impact will likely ripple through Ghana’s political landscape, as key opposition figures now confront a judicial crackdown that many see cross‑party. The NPP's response, coupled with ongoing public debates on governance and environmental stewardship, may reshape future electoral dynamics in the country.
He further argued that the judge had ignored "clear evidence" that could have exonerated Boasiako.
