Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that he is pained following the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, being jailed.
According to Asiedu Nketiah, he is in pain over Wontumi’s 20-year prison sentence because he will no longer be able to become the NPP’s national chairman.
He argued that Wontumi becoming the NPP national chairman would have made things easier for the NDC to win future elections.
Asiedu Nketiah also expressed disappointment with the NPP for criticising the government over Wontumi’s imprisonment, arguing that the party is disgracing itself because it would no longer have the moral authority to speak against illegal mining (galamsey).
Speaking in an interview on Ambassadors TV on August 1, 2026, Asiedu Nketia stated, “I feel pained when the NPP wants to tarnish the party’s image and follow Wontumi in this case. I am most worried. This is not the party I know. They are disgracing the party. What really pained me in Wontumi’s case is that now that he is jailed, he cannot become the national chairman.
“That is my only pain. So, I pray that Abronye should also win so that the election becomes easy for us,” he said.
Meanwhile, David Vondee, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Twifo Atti Morkwa, has said former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should be blamed for the conviction of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
According to David Vondee, Akufo-Addo and the NPP failed to reprimand Wontumi at home, and now the laws of Ghana are reprimanding him publicly.
Speaking during a panel discussion on UTV’s Critical Issues programme on August 1, 2026, Vondee argued, “When Samuel Abu Jinapor was the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, he stated that Akonta Mining and Wontumi were engaged in illegal mining. However, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo maintained that Akonta Mining and Wontumi were not involved in illegal mining activities.
“If you do not reprimand your child at home, the law will reprimand your child publicly for you. That is exactly what is happening to Wontumi. The NPP refused to reprimand him privately, and now the laws of Ghana are reprimanding him publicly.
“So, if we have to blame anyone, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP are responsible for Wontumi’s jail term. A man who is 50 years old is now going to jail for 20 years,” he stated.
Also, Lawyer for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Chairman Wontumi, Samuel Atta Akyea has disclosed that his client is doing very fine and is in high spirits.
According to Lawyer Atta Akyea, his client has filed an appeal against his 20-year prison sentence, adding that the legal team will also file an application for bail pending the determination of the appeal.
Speaking to the media at the premises of the High Court on July 31, 2026, Atta Akyea stated, “He is very fine and in high spirits. He is also excited that we have lodged an appeal, and we will pursue it”.
“We will bring an application for bail pending appeal, so these are all the options we have, and we will exercise them properly,” he added.
His comments follow Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited filing an appeal against their sentences in the Samreboi illegal mining case.
Wontumi is asking the Court of Appeal to overturn the High Court’s judgment and acquit and discharge them on all four counts.
Chairman Wontumi’s notice of appeal, filed on Tuesday, July 28, challenges the entire judgment delivered by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay of the High Court’s Criminal Division 4 on July 20.
He is being represented by Samuel Atta Akyea; the appellants argue that the convictions are unreasonable and unsupported by the evidence presented during the trial.
According to them, the trial judge misinterpreted key provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, and failed to consider the combined effect of sections 13(8) and 46 of the Act, which they say cleared them.
Watch the video below:
Hon. Adwoa Safo hits the dance floor at burial of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka #GHNow pic.twitter.com/BYOmelKb8o
— GHnow (@ghnow_) August 1, 2026
Hon. Adwoa Safo celebrates the successful burial of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka #GHNow pic.twitter.com/qdfYMfdgMj
— GHnow (@ghnow_) July 31, 2026
