A viral video showing the convicted Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, challenging President John Dramani Mahama over illegal mining widely known as galamsey has resurfaced following his sentencing in the Akonta Mining case.

An Accra High Court on Monday, July 20, 2026, sentenced Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of charges related to illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

Following the sentencing, a video of Chairman Wontumi making remarks about illegal mining and President Mahama has resurfaced on social media.

In the video, Wontumi, was seen daring President Mahama, who at the time was a former president, over his stance on galamsey.

He claimed that President Mahama could not stop him or affect the operations of Akonta Mining, insisting that he had built a successful business empire.

“It is time Mahama becomes afraid of me. I am unstoppable,” Wontumi said in the video.

He further challenged the former president, asking whether he was not afraid of him and daring him to confront him with security personnel.

“Mahama, are you not afraid of me? After all you did to me, I am still standing strong,” he stated.

“You cannot determine my success in life. Your likeness or dislike cannot determine my success in life. I have over 400 pickups and excavators,” he bragged.

BREAKING: Chairman Wontumi jailed 20 years in prison

Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, who presided over the Criminal Division of the High Court, delivered the sentence shortly after 11:40 am, on July 20, 2026, bringing an end to one of Ghana’s most closely watched illegal mining prosecutions.

The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000, with a default sentence of three years’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid.

The case against Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited arose from investigations into mining activities allegedly carried out on the company’s Samreboi concession without the required approval.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay had earlier found Mr Antwi-Boasiako guilty on all six counts, including assigning mineral rights without approval and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.

The 20-year sentence is the statutory range of between 15 and 25 years prescribed under the law for the offences.

See the video below:

This is why you should never think you’re above the law..some time ago Chairman Wontumi dared the current President publicly—now he’s facing 20 years behind bars 💔 pic.twitter.com/udodI0aPA8

— ᗰᖇ.ᗰOᖇᗩᒪE 🇬🇭 (@niiamon66) July 20, 2026