By Emmanuel Fletcher 
Former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has officially confirmed that Bernard Antwi-Boasiako has been transferred to Nsawam Medium Security Prison. The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, began serving his 20-year prison term immediately after the Accra High Court handed down its sentence.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen radio show shortly after the judicial ruling on Monday, July 20, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah disclosed that he personally spent time with Wontumi right before prison authorities escorted him away. He expressed deep sadness over the tragic legal turn of events affecting one of the country’s most powerful political figures.
The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court convicted Chairman Wontumi over illegal mining operations conducted on the Samreboi concession located in the Western Region. Presiding Judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay sentenced the regional political leader to two concurrent 20-year custodial terms.
In addition to the length of time behind bars, the court imposed a heavy fine of 10,000 penalty units, which equals 120,000 Ghana cedis. Should the convicted politician fail to settle the financial penalty, he will serve an additional three years in prison, marking a huge turning point in the state’s fight against illegal mining.
Dr Boakye-Danquah revealed that Wontumi’s legal defense team felt completely shocked by the court’s sudden decision. He insisted that the evidence brought before the court throughout the trial failed to demonstrate any direct personal involvement by Chairman Wontumi in active illegal mining.
The former government spokesperson further argued that the harsh ruling feels like political victimization against a key figure in the main opposition party. He emphasized that Wontumi holds a crucial executive position inside the Ashanti Region, which represents the strongest electoral base of the party.
The legal team had strongly anticipated that the High Court judge would hold back her final judgment because of a pending constitutional application filed at the Supreme Court. However, the trial judge chose to proceed, delivering her ruling despite objections raised by lead counsel Atta Akyea.
Dr Boakye-Danquah defended Wontumi’s conduct throughout the trial, emphasizing that the politician remained completely law-abiding and never missed a single court date. He questioned whether state prosecutors will show similar determination when investigating other high-profile individuals accused of illegal mining, expressing hope that the situation does not deepen political divisions across Ghana.
Also Read: Chairman Wontumi Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison Over Illegal Mining Case
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