Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has apologised to President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama over remarks he made during the 2024 election campaign.
The apology was disclosed by Wontumi’s spokesperson, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, who said it forms part of an appeal for President Mahama to consider exercising his prerogative of mercy following Wontumi’s conviction and 20-year prison sentence in the illegal mining case.
Speaking on Citi FM, Dr Boakye-Danquah described the apology as a sincere gesture aimed at promoting reconciliation.
“The first call is to render an apology, and I think that is important. Former Chairman renders an apology to him if, at some stage, the conversations went overboard, which was never intended,” he said.
He explained that the apology should not be interpreted as an admission that political considerations influenced the judicial process that led to Wontumi’s conviction.
“Not at all. We are aware that in this country there are influences. If you are able to identify those influences and begin making amends, I think we build a better society for all of us to live in,” he stated.
Chairman Wontumi is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after an Accra High Court found him guilty on six counts related to illegal mining activities involving Akonta Mining Limited.
His legal team has since filed an appeal against the conviction, while senior members of the NPP have continued to campaign for clemency and support for the embattled party chairman.
