Lawyer for New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has filed an appeal challenging the 20-year prison sentence imposed on his client by an Accra High Court in the Samreboi mining case.
The appeal was confirmed by Dr Palgrave Boakye Danquah, spokesperson for Chairman Wontumi, who told The1957News that the application was received by the Court of Appeal registry at 1:40 pm on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
The legal action follows the High Court’s conviction of Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Company Limited, over charges relating to illegal mining activities at a concession in Samreboi in the Western Region.
The case involved three accused persons: Bernard Antwi Boasiako, Akonta Mining Company Limited, and Kwame Antwi, a director of the company who was reported to be at large during the trial.
The prosecution accused the accused persons of assigning mineral rights on the Akonta Mining concession without the approval of the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, and of purposely facilitating unlicensed mining operations contrary to provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
According to the prosecution’s case, mining activities were carried out on the company’s Samreboi concession without the required ministerial approval. The state argued that Chairman Wontumi, as a director and controlling figure of Akonta Mining, was responsible for the company’s activities.
The High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, found Chairman Wontumi guilty on the charges and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment in hard labour. The court also imposed financial penalties on Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited.
The court imposed a GH¢120,000 fine on Chairman Wontumi, with a custodial sentence in default, while Akonta Mining Company Limited was fined GH¢180,000.
Chairman Wontumi, through his lawyers, has consistently denied wrongdoing and is now seeking relief from the Court of Appeal against the conviction and sentence.
The filing of the appeal begins the next phase of the legal process, as the appellate court is expected to consider the grounds presented by the defence and determine whether the High Court’s decision should be upheld, varied or overturned.