NPP rejects Wontumi conviction, heads to Court of Appeal

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has vehemently rejected the High Court's conviction and 20-year prison sentence of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi. The party declared the judgment a "miscarriage of justice" during a press conference at its headquarters in Accra, asserting that the decision was fundamentally flawed and politically motivated.

The NPP framed Chairman Wontumi as a "political prisoner," alleging that his case is part of a broader campaign by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to target and persecute political opponents. The party maintained that Mr. Antwi Boasiako had legally obtained his mineral concession and complied with all relevant mining sector laws. They argued that the prosecution failed to present credible evidence proving he illegally assigned or transferred mineral rights, which formed the basis of the charges.

Furthermore, the NPP accused the government of applying justice selectively. They alleged that while opposition figures face aggressive prosecution, individuals associated with the ruling party involved in illegal mining, or "galamsey," are not held accountable. This, the NPP stated, undermines public confidence in the justice system and hinders efforts to combat illegal mining. The party also accused the government of using state institutions to intimidate political rivals rather than allowing the law to operate independently.

The NPP stressed that the fight against illegal mining must be conducted impartially and without political interference, asserting that no Ghanaian should be targeted based on political affiliation. They assured their members and supporters of their commitment to defending Chairman Wontumi through all lawful means and announced that their legal team is preparing to challenge the High Court's ruling at the Court of Appeal. The party expressed confidence that the appellate court would thoroughly review the evidence and overturn the conviction, urging supporters to remain calm and peaceful.