The incarcerated former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has apologised to President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama for disparaging remarks he made during the campaign leading up to the 2024 general election.
The apology comes as Wontumi serves a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted over illegal mining activities linked to Akonta Mining Limited’s concession in the Samreboi Forest in the Western Region.
Speaking in an interview with Citi News, Wontumi’s spokesperson, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, said the former NPP regional chairman’s apology was a gesture of goodwill and formed part of an appeal for presidential clemency.
“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,” Boakye-Danquah said.
He stressed, however, that the apology should not be interpreted as an admission that political differences between Wontumi and President Mahama influenced the legal proceedings that culminated in his 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.
Boakye-Danquah maintained that the appeal for forgiveness was intended to promote reconciliation and should not be viewed as an indication that political considerations played any role in Wontumi’s prosecution or sentencing.
Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court found him guilty on all six charges brought against him.
He, together with Akonta Mining Limited and a third accused person, Kwame Antwi, was prosecuted over illegal mining activities on the company’s concession at Samreboi.
According to the prosecution, the accused unlawfully assigned mineral rights on the concession without obtaining approval from the sector minister and facilitated mining operations without the required authorisation, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act.
The conviction marked the end of a high-profile prosecution that attracted significant public attention because of Wontumi’s political prominence and the government’s renewed efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
His latest appeal to President Mahama for mercy now places the focus on whether he will be considered for executive clemency, a constitutional power that rests with the President and is exercised in accordance with the law.
