The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer for the 2028 general elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has visited the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison following his conviction in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case.
The visit comes two days after the High Court in Accra sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.
According to the NPP, Dr. Bawumia’s visit was intended to offer solidarity and encouragement to the party’s regional chairman, whose conviction the party continues to describe as unjust.
During the visit, Dr. Bawumia interacted with Chairman Wontumi, assessed his condition, and assured him that the party would pursue all available legal avenues to challenge the High Court’s ruling.
The NPP flagbearer also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to supporting the appeal process and has tasked the party’s legal team to work with lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, in seeking to overturn the conviction.
Mr. Atta Akyea, who was expected to return to Ghana on Wednesday, is anticipated to file an appeal against the judgment in the coming days.
Chairman Wontumi was convicted by the High Court on Monday, July 20, on two counts related to the Akonta Mining case.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on each count.
Akonta Mining Limited, which was jointly tried with Chairman Wontumi, was also convicted on two counts and fined 15,000 penalty units.
Before delivering its judgment, the High Court dismissed an application by the defence seeking to refer constitutional issues arising from the case to the Supreme Court for interpretation.
Presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, ruled that the application lacked merit and proceeded to deliver judgment.
Following the ruling, Samuel Atta Akyea criticised the court’s decision, arguing that the constitutional issues raised by the defence should have been referred to the Supreme Court.
He subsequently announced the defense’s intention to appeal the conviction.
