National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, says the only reason he is saddened by the imprisonment of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is because it has ended his chances of leading the opposition party.
Speaking in an interview on Ambassadors TV on August 1, 2026, Asiedu Nketiah said Wontumi’s 20-year prison sentence has effectively dashed his ambition of becoming the NPP’s national chairman, a development he believes would have benefited the NDC politically.
According to him, Wontumi’s elevation to the top leadership of the NPP would have made it easier for the ruling party to secure victory in future elections.
“What really pained me in Wontumi’s case is that now that he is jailed, he cannot become the national chairman.
“That is my only pain. So, I pray that Abronye should also win so that the election becomes easy for us,” he said.
Asiedu Nketiah also criticised the NPP for rallying behind Wontumi following his conviction, arguing that the party was damaging its own image.
He said by defending the convicted politician, the NPP risks losing the moral authority to speak against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and the destruction of the country’s water bodies.
“I feel pained when the NPP wants to tarnish the party’s image and follow Wontumi in this case. I am most worried. This is not the party I know. They are disgracing the party,” he stated.
Chairman Wontumi was convicted by Criminal Court 4 of the High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, after being found guilty on charges under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 995).
The court sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment, with all custodial terms to run concurrently. He was also fined 10,000 penalty units on each of the six counts.
Akonta Mining Limited, which was convicted alongside him on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units on each count.
According to the prosecution, Wontumi unlawfully assigned mineral rights on Akonta Mining’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without the required ministerial approval and facilitated unauthorised mining activities on the concession.
