Accra: Former Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Fiifi Boafo, has called for restraint in public reactions following the conviction and sentencing of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. Boafo emphasized that no one should take pleasure in another person's downfall.
According to Ghana Web, Boafo, during an interview on TV3 on July 28, 2026, stated that while individuals are entitled to their opinions on the case, celebrating Wontumi's incarceration is inappropriate. He asserted, "No one should be excited to see a brother fall. For that reason, I am not too sure about those who are celebrating that Wontumi has been incarcerated."
Criminal Court 4 of the High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, found Chairman Wontumi guilty on all six charges brought against him under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 995). The court sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment, with the custodial terms to run concurrently. Additionally, he was fined 10,000 penalty units on each of the six counts.
In a related development, Akonta Mining Limited, which was also convicted on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units on each count. The prosecution alleged that Chairman Wontumi unlawfully assigned mineral rights on Akonta Mining's concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without the approval of the sector minister and facilitated unauthorized mining activities on the concession.