NPP Will Appeal Wontumi Conviction, Cites Flawed Judgment

Ghana's New Patriotic Party (NPP) is gearing up to challenge the High Court's conviction of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi. The party has declared its intention to appeal the ruling, which it describes as "fundamentally flawed" and lacking sufficient evidentiary support.

“

Our Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to disagree with judicial decisions and to seek redress through the appellate process. That is precisely what we intend to do.

At a press conference in Accra, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong stated that while the party respects the judiciary, it believes the conviction should be overturned. He asserted that the prosecution failed to present evidence proving Chairman Wontumi had unlawfully assigned or transferred his mineral rights. The NPP contends that the conviction was based on assumptions rather than proof beyond a reasonable doubt, labeling the judgment a "travesty of justice."

“

The conviction rested on assumptions and inferences which, in our view, could not amount to proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Beyond the specifics of the case, the NPP has raised concerns about selective prosecution. Frimpong alleged a pattern of targeting political opponents while investigations into alleged wrongdoings by members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) proceed with less urgency. He questioned the lack of action on petitions and allegations against NDC officials and Members of Parliament involved in illegal mining.

“

The prosecution reflected a pattern of selective justice, with political opponents being targeted while allegations involving persons associated with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) were not being pursued with the same urgency.

The NPP urged the government to prioritize pressing national issues such as illegal mining, flooding, and security threats over what it termed politically motivated prosecutions. The party assured its supporters that it stands behind Chairman Wontumi, whom they consider a "political prisoner," and expressed confidence in his eventual vindication through the appellate process.

“

Ghanaians expected decisive leadership in addressing those challenges rather than what he described as politically motivated prosecutions.