Wontumi’s Sentence: “Where Are Mahama’s Galamseyers?” — NPP Questions NDC
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has questioned why members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) allegedly linked to illegal mining activities have not faced similar scrutiny after President John Dramani Mahama admitted that some persons within his administration are involved in galamsey.
The NPP General Secretary, Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua, said the conviction of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, cannot be presented as evidence of the government’s commitment to fighting illegal mining when allegations involving individuals within the NDC remain unresolved.
Speaking at a press briefing following the High Court’s decision sentencing Chairman Wontumi to 20 years in prison, lawyer Kodua described the judgement as a “political incident” and insisted that the party would challenge the decision through the appellate process.
He argued that Wontumi was convicted despite what he described as a lack of evidence proving that he unlawfully transferred or assigned his mineral concession.
“It is our considered view that Chairman Wontumi has been convicted in circumstances where there was no evidence at all to support a conviction in respect of the offence for which he has been convicted,” he said.
According to him, it was never disputed that Chairman Wontumi legally acquired his mineral concession, adding that the main issue before the court was whether the concession had been transferred in violation of the law.
Lawyer Kodua maintained that the prosecution failed to provide evidence proving any illegal assignment of mineral rights, arguing that the conviction was based on assumptions and inferences rather than proof beyond reasonable doubt.
He said the NPP respects the authority of the judiciary but believes citizens and institutions have the constitutional right to disagree with judicial decisions and seek redress.
Touching on the broader fight against illegal mining, the NPP General Secretary accused the NDC government of using selective prosecution to target political opponents while ignoring allegations involving some members of its own party.
“The Ghanaian people cannot fail to notice that while political opponents who have done no wrong are being aggressively persecuted, questions remain unanswered regarding individuals associated with this party and government who have themselves been publicly linked to illegal mining activities,” he stated.
He referenced President Mahama’s own admission that some members of his administration are engaged in galamsey and questioned what action had been taken following those remarks.
“Indeed, the president himself has acknowledged that persons in his administration are involved in galamsey. What concrete action has followed those admissions? Who are those members of the party that are engaged in galamsey, of which the President knows?” he asked.
Lawyer Kodua further questioned the status of petitions and allegations involving some NDC officials, including National Organiser Joseph Yammin, Vice Chairman Avangar Yakubu, and other party figures who have been accused by various groups of links to illegal mining.
He insisted that the fight against galamsey must be applied equally, arguing that “justice cannot be selective".
“The fight against illegal mining cannot become credible only when it targets political opponents while overlooking allegations involving others, especially from the president's own party,” he added.
The NPP General Secretary also accused the government of attempting to divert attention from pressing national challenges, including the impact of illegal mining on farming communities, recent flooding and security threats within the sub-region.
He assured NPP supporters that the party would stand by Chairman Wontumi and pursue all legal avenues to overturn the judgement.
“The NPP considers Wontumi a political prisoner. Our legal team has already commenced the necessary steps to challenge this judgement through the appellate process,” Lawyer Kodua said.
He maintained that the party believes the judgement was unjustified and that Chairman Wontumi was wrongly convicted.
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