NPP Regional Chairman sentenced to 20 years for illegal mining

Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of Ghana's New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labor by an Accra High Court. The court also imposed a fine of GHS 120,000 on him for his involvement in illegal mining activities at his Samreboi concession.

Antwi-Boasiako was convicted on all sixteen charges brought against him by the state, which related to facilitating illegal mining, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act. Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution successfully presented evidence proving his deliberate facilitation of illegal mining operations on his concession.

The court found the prosecution's case proven beyond a reasonable doubt for each of the sixteen counts. This sentencing represents a significant conviction in the government's intensified campaign against illegal mining, commonly referred to as "galamsey."

The conviction of a prominent political figure like Chairman Wontumi underscores the government's commitment to prosecuting individuals involved in illegal mining, regardless of their political standing. The crackdown aims to curb the environmental degradation and economic losses associated with these illicit operations.