The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has alleged that the government’s prosecution and conviction of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is an attempt to shift public attention away from pressing national issues.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, July 20, NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua criticised the government’s handling of the case, just hours after the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years in prison for illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000. The court further ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional three-year prison term.
Reacting to the judgment, Mr Kodua argued that the government was using the case to create a perception of success while failing to address more pressing concerns affecting the country.
According to him, rather than focusing on what he described as selective prosecutions, the government should prioritise tackling illegal mining, responding effectively to recent flood disasters, and strengthening national security amid increasing terrorist threats within the West African sub-region.
“No government should attempt to divert public attention from those pressing national concerns through selective prosecutions designed to create the appearance of success,” he stated.
Mr Kodua maintained that Ghanaians expect leadership that can safeguard lives, protect livelihoods and confront the country’s major challenges instead of pursuing politically motivated cases.
The NPP General Secretary also rejected the court’s verdict, insisting that the evidence presented during the trial did not justify a conviction. He alleged that crucial evidence favourable to Chairman Wontumi was disregarded by the trial judge.
“There is no justification for the judgment since the judge obviously ignored clear evidence exonerating Wontumi,” he claimed.
He disclosed that the party’s legal team has already initiated the appeal process and will challenge both the conviction and the 20-year sentence before the appellate courts.
“Our legal team has already commenced the necessary steps to challenge this judgment through the appellate process,” he said.
Reaffirming the party’s support for Chairman Wontumi, Mr Kodua described him as a “political prisoner” and assured party supporters that the NPP would stand firmly behind him throughout the legal process.
“He is not alone,” he said, expressing confidence that the appeal would give Chairman Wontumi another opportunity to contest the High Court’s decision.
