Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, has revealed that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been taken to the Nsawam Prison to begin his 20-year jail term.
According to Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, on Monday, July 20, he just parted ways with Chairman Wontumi as prison authorities prepared him to be transported to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen show on Monday, July 20, Dr Boakye-Danquah stated, “I have just parted ways with him, and he is being taken to Nsawam. How did we get to this stage as a country?”.
“We did not expect this outcome because, based on the evidence we provided, it was clear that there was nothing presented in court that showed Chairman Wontumi was personally involved in illegal mining throughout the proceedings,” he stated.
“We were therefore very hopeful that, considering the application that was filed at the Supreme Court, Her Ladyship would take her time to consider the matter. Unfortunately, she did not agree with our position and went ahead to deliver her judgement,” he said.
“It is very sad. It feels like a form of political victimisation of a politically exposed individual,” he remarked.
He added, “We are not talking about just any other person. We are talking about the sitting Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, the stronghold of the party and the largest opposition party.”
“If this is the direction we are taking, while we know that there are others who are actively involved in galamsey, then we will wait and see how things unfold,” he said.
“We can only hope and pray that our country can come together and find its way forward.”
“Chairman Wontumi has been law-abiding throughout this case. There was not a single day that he failed to appear in court. We have been very cooperative with the court and followed due process,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ing. Ken Ashigbey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, has said the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, should have been jailed for 25 years.
According to Ken Ashigbey, Wontumi’s 20-year sentence is punitive enough, but not enough.
Ken Ashigbey, a strong advocate in the fight against illegal mining, however, stressed that Wontumi’s 20-year sentence would serve as a deterrent to others involved in the practice.
He argued that the judge should have given Wontumi the maximum fine of 25 years plus.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV, Ken Ashigbey stated, “I’m happy that this case has gone its full circle. I would have wished that the learned judge would have given 25 years plus the maximum fine, but 20 years is good enough. Yes, it’s punitive enough, but not enough”.
Ken Ashigbey further expressed hope that other Galamsey kingpins should also face similar penalties, including maximum prison terms and fines.
He called on the Mahama government to ensure that all persons found culpable in illegal mining activities are treated equally under the law.
“Other kingpins should be made to face justice,” he added.
His comment comes on the heels of the Accra High Court sentencing Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment.
@ghnow_ The New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by “The conviction of Chairman Wontumi is not a trophy to appease the Ghanaian people.” — Justin Frimpong Kodua, NPP General Secretary #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “Chairman Wontumi has been convicted in circumstances where there was no evidence to support the offence for which he was convicted.” — Justin Frimpong Kodua, NPP General Secretary #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
