The Deputy National Director of A-Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu, has dismissed claims that the conviction of Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was politically motivated, insisting that the evidence points to breaches of Ghana's mining laws rather than political persecution.

Speaking on The Key Points on July 25, 2026, Bosu said the court's decision was based on Wontumi's role in permitting illegal mining activities on his concession, stressing that the judgement should serve as a warning to others who facilitate illegal mining operations.

"I don't see any evidence to point to the fact that Wontumi is being prosecuted because of who he is as a politician or because of how loud he is," he said.

According to him, the conviction was centred on the finding that Wontumi's company allowed another individual to carry out illegal mining activities on its concession, an offence that falls within the scope of Ghana's mining laws.

Bosu argued that while Wontumi was not convicted based on the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, the impact of such activities in the affected areas remains severe.

He cited extensive degradation around the Tano River, saying illegal mining had altered the river's natural channel, worsening flooding during the rainy season.

"In June, we saw how the floods came, and according to NADMO, over 1,500 people were displaced. That tells you how bad the impact of illegal mining has affected that whole area," he said.

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Bosu welcomed the judgement, describing it as a significant step towards enforcing the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995), which introduced stiffer penalties for those who facilitate, finance or aid illegal mining.

He explained that the law was specifically enacted to strengthen the fight against illegal mining by making not only direct perpetrators but also those who enable such activities, criminally liable.

Bosu further urged the government and law enforcement agencies to apply the law consistently to all offenders, arguing that illegal mining continues to thrive because many concession holders unlawfully permit others to mine in exchange for a share of the proceeds.

He maintained that the true test of whether Wontumi's prosecution was politically motivated would be whether authorities continue pursuing similar cases involving other individuals and companies engaged in comparable offences.

Chairman Wontumi was convicted and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment after being found guilty of offences related to illegal mining. His conviction has sparked political debate, with some members of the New Patriotic Party describing him as a political prisoner, while others argue the case represents a legitimate effort to enforce Ghana's environmental and mining laws.

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Chairman Wontumi Convicted: I don’t see any evidence to point to the fact that Wontumi has been persecuted because of who he is as a politician. He is just facing the tune of what he set in motion. - Daryl Bosu, Deputy National Director, Arocha Ghana#TheKeyPoints #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/f1XNxWy1dv

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) July 25, 2026