A private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has described convicted illegal miner Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a galamsey “kingpin”.
Lawyer Kpebu recounted that President John Mahama promised Ghanaians of dismantling the leadership behind illegal mining operations.
According to Lawyer Kpebu, Wontumi had, over the years, projected himself publicly as a powerful figure in the mining business.
Martin Kpebu disclosed that the two witnesses who testified against Wontumi should be seen as subordinates, as Wontumi was the principal actor behind the operation.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, Martin Kpebu stated, “… because we’ve always been told that the president wanted to get the kingpins,” he said.
“So far, it appears Henry Okum and then Michael Ayisi are underlings, and Wontumi is a kingpin,” he stated.
Mr Kpebu argued that Wontumi had, over the years, projected himself publicly as a powerful figure in the mining business.
“Don’t forget, in the past, Wontumi has been to a radio station with gold bars, etc., flaunted wealth, showing necklaces, etc. So Wontumi has posed as a kingpin,” he said.
“And we all want kingpins, not underlings. So Okum and Ayisi are underlings. That’s why they were used as prosecution witnesses to get their kingpin,” Kpebu said.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a “political prisoner”.
According to the NPP, Wontumi has been politically targeted by the John Mahama-led NDC government.
The NPP, addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, July 20, addressed by the General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua, announced plans to mount a legal and political challenge against his conviction.
Speaking to the press, Justin Frimpong Kodua stated, “We address you today with profound disappointment, but also with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, constitutional democracy, and the pursuit of justice”.
“While we respect the authority of our courts, respect for the judiciary does not require silence in the face of a judgment that is fundamentally flawed. Our Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to disagree with judicial decisions and to seek redress through the appellate process. That is precisely what we intend to do.”
“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,” Mr Kodua stated.
“It was never disputed that Chairman Wontumi lawfully acquired his mineral concession. That fact was established and accepted before the court.”
“The prosecution could not produce any evidence to show that Wontumi had assigned his mineral right.”
“That is why we firmly believe that this conviction is a travesty of justice and has to be overturned on appeal,” Mr Kodua said.
He further added, “The NPP legal team is filing an appeal of this decision. I want the whole world to know that Wontumi being sentenced is because of politics; he did not commit any crime. He is a political criminal; it is because of politics that is why he has been jailed”.
The NPP comments follow the Accra High Court sentencing Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Watch the video below:
“Chairman Wontumi has been convicted in circumstances where there was no evidence to support the offence for which he was convicted.”
— GHnow (@ghnow_) July 20, 2026
— Justin Frimpong Kodua, NPP General Secretary#GHNow pic.twitter.com/V881ucxd2u
The NPP leadership is addressing the nation following Chairman Wontumi’s 20-year prison sentence, insisting the party will challenge the verdict and pursue an appeal.
— GHnow (@ghnow_) July 20, 2026
What are your thoughts?#GHnow pic.twitter.com/GHzrjLXEgQ
