The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), alongside its 2028 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has convened an emergency meeting to assess the recent High Court ruling that convicted the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, better known as Chairman Wontumi.
This meeting comes in response to the High Court’s ruling, which sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years in prison on each of the two counts related to the Akonta Mining illegal mining case, with the sentences set to run concurrently. In addition to the prison term, he was also fined 10,000 penalty units for each count. Akonta Mining Limited, found guilty on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units on each count.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay determined that Wontumi was guilty on Counts One and Four. At the same time, Akonta Mining Limited was convicted on Counts Three and Six, with the court concluding that the prosecution had established all critical elements of the offences beyond a reasonable doubt.
NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong announced the emergency meeting through a Facebook post on Monday, July 20. He stated that the party leadership, along with the flagbearer and legal team, is meticulously reviewing the court’s decision regarding the Samreboi mining matter to decide on the appropriate next steps.
“The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in collaboration with our Flagbearer and the Party’s legal team, is currently conducting a thorough review of the Court’s judgment regarding our Ashanti Regional Chairman, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, in relation to the Samreboi mining case,” he explained.
Frimpong assured party members that the official stance and decisions resulting from the discussions would be communicated in due time. In the meantime, he urged party supporters to stay calm and united during this challenging period.
“I respectfully call upon all members of our esteemed party to stand firm behind the leadership at this difficult time. Let us maintain a spirit of calmness, unity, discipline, and steadfast commitment to the principles and interests of the New Patriotic Party,” he emphasized.
