The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Twifo Atti Morkwa, David Vondee, has stated that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should be blamed for the conviction of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

According to him, the NPP and the former President failed to keep Wontumi in check, a situation that has ultimately resulted in his imprisonment.

“With the greatest respect to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, they did not help Wontumi; the NPP also did not help him,” Vondee said.

Speaking during a panel discussion on UTV’s Critical Issues programme on August 1, 2026, Vondee referenced a past comment by Akufo-Addo in which the former President defended Wontumi and Akonta Mining against allegations of involvement in illegal mining during his administration.

“When Samuel Abu Jinapor was the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, he stated that Akonta Mining and Wontumi were engaged in illegal mining. However, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo maintained that Akonta Mining and Wontumi were not involved in illegal mining activities.

“If you do not reprimand your child at home, the law will reprimand your child publicly for you. That is exactly what is happening to Wontumi. The NPP refused to reprimand him privately,and now the laws of Ghana are reprimanding him publicly.

“So, if we have to blame anyone, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP are responsible for Wontumi’s jail term. A man who is 50 years old is now going to jail for 20 years,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Criminal Court 4 of the High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, found Chairman Wontumi guilty on charges brought against him under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 995).

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The court sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment, with all custodial terms to run concurrently. In addition, he was fined 10,000 penalty units on each of the six counts.

Akonta Mining Limited, which was also convicted on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units on each count.

According to the prosecution, Chairman Wontumi unlawfully assigned mineral rights on Akonta Mining’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without the approval of the sector minister. He was also accused of facilitating unauthorized mining activities on the concession.

Blame Akufo-Addo, NPP for Chairman Wontumi's 20-Year jail sentence - David Vondee#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/r1Ae1hsYbg

— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) August 1, 2026