The former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will make an appearance in court today as his lawyers push for his release on bail pending an appeal against his 20-year prison sentence.
Wontumi’s legal team is seeking temporary freedom as he challenges his conviction over illegal mining-related offences involving a mining concession at Samreboi.
It will be recalled that Chairman Wontumi filed an application at the High Court seeking to be released on bail pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction and prison sentence.
Wontumi’s legal team is asking the court to grant his release while the appeal challenging the judgment is heard.
The court is scheduled to hear the application on August 19, 2026. Wontumi is currently being held at Nsawam Medium Security Prison serving a 20-year jail term.
Lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, indicated that the application is in accordance with Section 96(1) of Act 30 and Section 33(1) of Act 459.
“Take Notice that this Honourable Court will be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant (“Applicant”) herein praying the Court for an order that the Applicant, who is currently incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, be admitted to bail pending appeal upon the grounds stated in the accompanying affidavit and for any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem meet,” parts of the application read.
“Court to be moved on Wednesday, 19TH day of August 2026 at 9 o’clock in the forenoon or so soon thereafter as Counsel for the 1st and 3rd Appellants may be heard.”
Earlier, the Accra High Court adjourned Wontumi’s bail application pending; his appeal to October 15, 2026.
Reports suggest the adjournment followed the failure of Chairman Wontumi and his lawyers who failed to appear before the court for the hearing.
However, the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, was present in court for the proceedings.
He disclosed to the media that the court is expected to consider the bail application when the case resumes on October 15.
Meanwhile, Prophet Kofi Oduro, the Founder and Leader of Alabaster International Ministries, has quizzed the sense behind the 20-year prison sentence handed to Chairman Wontumi.
The man of God expressed disappointment over the imprisonment of Wontumi, arguing that the 20-year prison sentence was not in the best interest of the country.
He noted that the government will now have to spend taxpayers’ money on his feeding and welfare while he serves his sentence.
According to Prophet Kofi Oduro, Wontumi should have been given an option: 20 years or 10 billion dollars payback to reclaim the lands he helped destroy with his galamsey activities.
Speaking in a sermon shared on social media with his congregation, Prophet Kofi Oduro stated, “What is the use of Wontumi being in prison for 20 years? We should have given that guy options: 20 years or 10 billion dollars payback. He will definitely choose the latter. What is the sense of Wontumi being in Nsawam Prison? It’s true he has committed a crime, but give him an option, give him an option to pay back.
“Now that he is in Nsawam for 20 years, what is the sense of it? He has offended the law, yes, but he should be given an option to pay back. The Nation needs that money back to go and reclaim that land.
The judiciary should give the guy an option. 20 years or pay back; nobody will take 20 years. Let him sell everything he has made to pay back, but for him to sit there while we waste money on him is nonsense,” he said.
@ghnow_ Part 2: 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
