Wontumi is still in prison, sleeps on bare floor – Palgrave Boakye dismisses alleged release

Former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, remains incarcerated, according to his spokesperson Palgrave Boakye-Danquah. Boakye-Danquah told Asaase Pa Radio that Wontumi continues to languish in the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, spending his time sleeping on the bare floor and a student mattress.

The spokesperson's emotional breakdown during the interview revealed the dire conditions Wontumi faces while in custody. He strongly urged the public not to believe reports claiming the former party leader has been released, insisting, "He is still in prison." Wontumi was convicted on July 20 by the High Court for his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities on Akonta Mining Company Limited's concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.

The court found him guilty of unlawfully authorizing mining operations and facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, leading to a 20-year prison sentence with hard labor on both counts, to be served concurrently. The convicted company was fined 15,000 penalty units for each of the two counts. Wontumi's lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, appealed the conviction on July 28, requesting the Court of Appeal to overturn the decision and acquit both Wontumi and the company. They argued that the convictions lacked sufficient evidence presented during the trial.