Samuel Atta Akyea, a lead counsel for former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, has set the record straight over claims he begged President John Mahama for a presidential pardon for his client.
Wontumi’s Lawyer clarified that he had not approached President John Dramani Mahama to seek clemency for Wontumi.
He, however, stressed that he expected the President to show mercy to his client, considering the widespread nature of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Atta Akyea, when asked whether he had sought a presidential pardon for his client, stated, “No, please. We didn’t do that”.
According to Atta Akyea, given the prevalence of galamsey in Ghana, he had hoped President Mahama would have exercised discretion and shown compassion in a case related to illegal mining.
“Also, when the case was galamsey-related, we thought that the President, in his own mercy, would say that, look, the nation is awash with galamsey,” he stated.
Atta Akyea further argued that some prominent members of the NDC had significant involvement in galamsey, saying, “Even we have some evidence that serious people in the party, that is what their daily bread is all about. I will not use a galamsey-tinted criminal matter to detain a man and let him remain…”
Meanwhile, Maurice Ampaw, a Private legal practitioner, has begged President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the incarceration of Chairman Wontumi.
The Private legal practitioner called on Ghanaian business mogul Ibrahim Mahama to intervene on behalf of the incarcerated Wontumi.
According to Maurice Ampaw, Ibrahim Mahama has the influence to intervene on behalf of Chairman Wontumi.
He further appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider his position on Chairman Wontumi’s case, urging the President not to allow people around him to negatively influence his decisions.
Speaking in an interview on Movement TV shared on social media, Maurice Ampaw stated, “I pray that Ibrahim Mahama will remember his junior brother because there should be sober reflection. His brother is suffering, and I believe he can do something about it. I believe that he should take advantage of this opportunity to visit Chairman Wontumi in prison and have a talk with him.
“As human beings, we must put aside all acrimonies and reconcile. Time is too short; we don’t have time. Day in and day out, we are all heading towards our graves.”
“That is why I am calling on President Mahama to reflect, with his two and a half years [in office], and reconsider. He shouldn’t allow people around him to deceive him. I know he has a good heart, but people are deceiving him,” he said.
In related news, Dr Palgrave Boakye Danquah, a spokesperson for businessman and Wontumi, has broken his silence on President John Dramani Mahama granting some 863 convicted persons granted a presidential pardon.
According to Wontumi’s team, they are yet to receive official confirmation on whether Wontumi is among the 863 convicted persons granted a presidential pardon.
Speaking on President Mahama’s presidential pardon, Dr Boakye Danquah said the team had not received any formal communication confirming that Wontumi is among those covered by the President’s decision.
He stressed that they would refrain from concluding until the relevant authorities officially communicate the names and categories of persons covered by the pardon.
Dr Boakye Danquah stated, “We don’t have the fine details yet, and so if we are yet to be communicated to, we will let the public know. Our prayer and consideration will be that if we would have our name anywhere at all, it would be within the Special Recommendation or Petition category.”
He, however, disclosed that their immediate priority is to secure bail for Wontumi on October 15, pending the determination of his appeal.
“We are just praying that the appeal goes through and also we are praying that the bail pending the appeal goes through”, he stated.
His comment follows President Mahama’s announcement of the pardon as part of Ghana’s 70th Independence celebration covering 863 convicted persons across the country.
The announcement has since sparked interest in the status of several high-profile individuals who may have been considered for clemency, including Chairman Wontumi.
@ghnow_ Part 3: National Security officers have arrested a group of people allegedly involved in illegal sand winning at Sewua along the Accra–Kumasi Highway. The arrests follow the grading of the road’s right of way by military engineers ahead of the commencement of construction works. #GHNow #GhanaNews #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Part 4: National Security officers have arrested a group of people allegedly involved in illegal sand winning at Sewua along the Accra–Kumasi Highway. The arrests follow the grading of the road’s right of way by military engineers ahead of the commencement of construction works. #GHNow #GhanaNews #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
