In brief
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, chair of the Ashanti region of Ghana’s main opposition party, was sentenced to 20 years with hard labour and fined over $10,000 for illegal mining. The ruling party claims the verdict was politically driven. Boasiako denied wrongdoing but was found guilty of assigning mineral rights and enabling unlicensed mining under his company. Environmentalists say the case signals stronger enforcement to protect Ghana's forests and rivers. The NPP is challenging the decision in court.
Ghana's main opposition party is shocked after its Ashanti region chair, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, was sentenced to 20 years in jail with hard labour for illegal mining offences.
Boasiako, popularly known as “Chairman Wontumi”, was found guilty of assigning mineral rights without approval and facilitating an unlicensed mining operation through his company, Akonta Mining.
He received a hefty fine of more than $10,000 (£7,450) and the sentence was issued in a court in Accra on Monday.
NPP general secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong blasted the verdict, saying the fight against illegal mining cannot be credible if it disproportionately targets political opponents without evidence.
Environmental campaigners applauded the conviction, calling it a necessary step to protect Ghana’s forests, rivers and other natural resources.
The NPP is already preparing legal challenges to overturn Boasiako’s conviction.
