Political analyst and University of Cape Coast (UCC) lecturer, Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere, has said that the 20-year prison sentence handed to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) Benard Antwi Bosiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi following his conviction on illegal mining-related charges will significantly affect the party's morale, finances and grassroots mobilisation in the Ashanti Region.

Reacting to the sentencing on TV3's Ghana Tonight monitored by GhanaWeb on July 23, 2026, he explained that Wontumi's influence within the NPP particularly among grassroots supporters in the Ashanti Region makes his absence a major concern for the party.

He argued that his energetic personality and unique approach to mobilising supporters helped him to connect with the grassroots.

“Whichever way you look at it, it is definitely going to affect not only the morale, but of course the financial aspects of the party within the region.

“He has a very interesting way of re-energising the grassroots with his boisterous nature, sometimes dancing in a boisterous fashion to energise them. He has some clique of a sort with the grassroots", he remarked.

Dr Asante Otchere further indicated that his incarceration would hinder the party's mobilisation efforts.

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“Definitely, once he is out of the scene, it is going to affect the party. Probably that is the source of the fear,” he remarked.

Touching on the outcome of the case, he stated, "... He has lost that brazen authority that he used to have, that aura of invincibility that he used to have within that region and beyond, I think it is in tatters for now,” he said.

An Accra High Court has sentenced Wontumi, to a 20-year jail term for assigning mineral rights granted to his company, Akonta Mining Limited, to two persons, Michael Gyedu Ayisi and Henry Okum, without obtaining approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Chairman Wontumi was fined GH¢120,000 for each offence.

In default of the fine, he will serve an additional three years in prison with hard labour. The sentences are to run concurrently, including the fine.

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