Senior Ghana politician jailed for 20 yrs over illegal mining

A Ghanaian court has sentenced an influential opposition politician to 20 years in prison for illegal mining, marking a significant development in the nation's battle against the illicit trade.

Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, a prominent figure and leader of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region, was found guilty on all six charges, including the unlawful assignment of mineral rights and facilitating unlicenced mining operations. The conviction stems from a police raid in April 2025 that led to the arrest of several miners and the seizure of excavators, firearms, and cash.

Ghana, a gold-rich nation, has been grappling with a surge in illegal mining, locally known as "galamsey." This activity has fueled environmental pollution, threatened cocoa production, and been linked to political corruption. Authorities estimate that galamsey operations have destroyed forests, polluted water bodies, and cost the country approximately $2.0 billion annually.

Judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay stated that the allegation was uncontested and the accused admitted to not receiving ministerial approval. The 20-year sentence falls within the legal range of 15 to 25 years.

The opposition has alleged that the current government, led by John Mahama, is selectively targeting its members. Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, was a key figure in the NPP administration from 2017 to 2025. Several NPP officials have faced investigations since the National Democratic Congress (NDC) returned to power. The government, however, asserts that all investigations and prosecutions are based on evidence and are not politically motivated. Antwi-Boasiako has the right to appeal his conviction and sentence.

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The allegation was never contested. The accused admitted that no ministerial approval was received