Story By: Evans Attah Akangla
Accra July 2026
The Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana), a Civil Society Organisation, has welcomed the conviction and 20-year custodial sentence handed down by the High Court against Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, over illegal mining-related offences
In a statement issued and signed by the Executive Director Mr. Richard Kasu on Monday, July 21, 2026, the Foundation described the judgment as a significant milestone in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, environmental destruction, and the culture of impunity in natural resource governance.
According to CFF-Ghana, the conviction signals that the rule of law can prevail when state institutions are allowed to function independently and without interference.
“For far too long, politically connected individuals and influential persons accused of engaging in illegal mining have been perceived as untouchable. This perception has weakened public confidence in the justice system,” the statement noted.
The Foundation stressed that the fight against galamsey must not end with one high-profile case. It argued that justice must be impartial, consistent, and free from political considerations.
“Every individual, whether a politician, business executive, traditional leader, public official, or financier of any political party who is found to have violated Ghana’s mining and environmental laws must equally face justice,” CFF-Ghana stated.
The group called on the state agencies, including the Office of the Attorney-General, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the Ghana Police Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Minerals Commission, and other relevant institutions to intensify investigations into illegal mining networks and ensure all perpetrators are held accountable.
CFF-Ghana further urged the government to strengthen enforcement of mining regulations, prosecute public officials who facilitate illegal mining, recover proceeds from environmental crimes, and invest in restoring degraded forests and polluted water bodies.
The Foundation noted that the destruction caused by illegal mining is threatening food security, public health, biodiversity, and livelihoods. It added that Ghana cannot win the fight against galamsey without sustained political will, institutional independence, and equal application of the law.
CFF-Ghana also urged political parties and supporters to respect the judicial process and the right of every convicted person to appeal. “The judiciary must be protected from undue political pressure and public intimidation,” the statement said
BACKGROUND
Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was on July 20, 2026 sentenced by the Accra High Court to 20 years’ imprisonment after being convicted on multiple illegal mining-related offences linked to activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units (GH¢120,000), with a default custodial sentence if the fine is not paid. His legal team has indicated its intention to study the judgment and consider an appeal.
