Wontumi’s Prison Sentence Sparks Public Guidance on Inmate Food Deliveries

Accra: CSP Richard Bukari, Public Relations Officer of the Kumasi Central Prisons, has provided guidance to the public regarding suitable food items for inmates, following the imprisonment of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), known as Chairman Wontumi. According to Ghana Web, CSP Bukari addressed concerns about Wontumi's imprisonment in an interview with Esra TV, noting that as a convicted prisoner serving his sentence in Nsawam, Wontumi is allowed visitors only once every two weeks. Due to the lack of refrigeration facilities in the prison, Bukari advised visitors to avoid bringing highly perishable food items. CSP Bukari emphasized, "When you bring any form of food, you will meet the person and give it to him or her, but you will first have to taste the food before you will be allowed to hand it over." He further elaborated that visitors should opt for non-perishable items like sugar, sachets of Milo, and other long-lasting foods. Bottled items are pro hibited due to security concerns, and visitors must comply with regulations to avoid arrest. Chairman Wontumi received a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty on six charges by the Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court. Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ruled that the prison terms run concurrently and imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on each count. Akonta Mining Limited, also convicted, was fined 15,000 penalty units on each of its two counts. The convictions were based on violations of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 995). The prosecution stated that the accused, including Wontumi, unlawfully assigned mineral rights and facilitated unauthorized mining activities on a concession in the Western Region, contravening the legal provisions for mining operations.