Private legal practitioner Maurice Ampaw has called on Ghanaian business mogul Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of President John Dramani Mahama, to intervene on behalf of incarcerated former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

According to the outspoken lawyer, he believes Ibrahim Mahama has the influence to intervene on behalf of the former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman.

Speaking in an interview on Movement TV, excerpts of which have been shared on social media, Ampaw also appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider his position on Chairman Wontumi’s case.

He urged the President not to allow people around him to negatively influence his decisions.

“I pray that Ibrahim Mahama will remember his junior brother because there should be sober reflection. His brother is suffering, and I believe he can do something about it. I believe that he should take advantage of this opportunity to visit Chairman Wontumi in prison and have a talk with him.

“As human beings, we must put aside all acrimonies and reconcile. Time is too short; we don’t have time. Day in and day out, we are all heading towards our graves.”

Ampaw also appealed directly to President Mahama to reconsider the matter involving Chairman Wontumi.

“That is why I am calling on President Mahama to reflect, with his two and a half years [in office], and reconsider. He shouldn’t allow people around him to deceive him. I know he has a good heart, but people are deceiving him,” he said.

Chairman Wontumi has been in custody at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison since his conviction in July in a case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited.

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An Accra High Court sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of offences related to mining activities on the company’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region. The sentences on the two counts are to run concurrently.

Wontumi has since appealed the conviction and sentence. His lawyers filed the appeal at the Court of Appeal on July 28, 2026, challenging the High Court’s decision.

“Day in, day out, human beings are getting closer to the grave, please show mercy on Chairman Wontumi; he’s suffering,”

—lawyer Maurice Ampaw has appealed to President John Mahama.

His appeal comes as Chairman Wontumi remains incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, where he is serving a 20-year sentence following his conviction over illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

Chairman Wontumi has appealed the conviction and is currently seeking bail pending the determination of his appeal.

— JonnexMedia-Gh🇬🇭 (@jonnexmedia) October 5, 2026