NPP Says Wontumi Conviction 'Travesty of Justice' Over Illicit Mining Charges

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment over illicit mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. The Accra High Court handed down the sentence, but the NPP strongly disagrees with the judgment, citing a lack of evidence to support the conviction.

The General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Kodua, addressed a press conference in Accra on Monday, claiming the party's chairman was not given a fair hearing. He stated that it was never disputed that Bernard Antwi-Boasiako lawfully acquired his mineral concession. Kodua insisted the central issue before the court was whether the chairman had unlawfully assigned or transferred his mineral rights.

In his statement, Kodua argued that 'it is our respectful view that no evidence was adduced before the Court establishing any such assignment or transfer of mineral rights by Chairman Wontumi.' The prosecution 'could not produce any evidence to show that Wontumi had assigned his Mineral right. Instead, the conviction rested on assumptions and inferences which, in our view, could not amount to proof beyond reasonable doubt.'

The party claims that the conviction of their chairman is a travesty of justice and must be overturned on appeal. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako will pursue all available legal avenues to challenge the court's decision, believing that he deserves a fair hearing through the appellate process.

The NPP has maintained that its chairman was never involved in any unlawful activities in relation to the mineral concession. The party has expressed disappointment in the court's decision, believing that it was heavily influenced by 'assumptions and inferences' rather than concrete evidence.

The NPP plans to continue supporting Bernard Antwi-Boasiako throughout the appeal process, confident that the conviction will be overturned. The party asserts that this is a 'grave injustice' that needs to be rectified as soon as possible.

Context is key: This decision has significant implications for the mining industry in Ghana, an essential sector for the country's economic growth. The NPP's actions will likely be closely watched by the government and the mining community, as the party's chairman plays a crucial role in the region.

'It is our respectful view that no evidence was adduced before the Court establishing any such assignment or transfer of mineral rights by Chairman Wontumi,' Justin Frimpong Kodua said.

The party's stance on this matter highlights their commitment to defending their chairman, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable evidence against him. The NPP's actions may also have broader implications for the nation, as the party's chairman is a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics.