The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has revealed that the 20-year sentence handed to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has deeply affected supporters of the New Patriotic Party. He described the Ashanti Regional Chairman as a significant figure within the party and said the conviction had created deep distress among its members.
Speaking on the sentence, the Manhyia South MP said the party has followed the trial closely and was awaiting the full judgment to understand the court’s reasoning. According to him, the evidence presented during the proceedings raised serious questions about how the prosecution met the required standard of proof.
“Wontumi is no ordinary person. He is the chairman of the party in the Ashanti Region, the largest constituency of the party, and so if anything like this has happened to him, definitely it is not something which is light.”
Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
Furthermore, Honourable Baffour Awuah added the party carefully monitored the proceedings and is surprised by the outcome of the case. He stated that the records available to the party showed that the judge acknowledged the absence of direct evidence on some aspects of the prosecution’s case.
From his perspective, the central issue is whether the evidence presented in court established the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The MP said the full judgment would be necessary to determine how the court evaluated the evidence before arriving at its decision.
Additionally, Honourable Awuah disclosed that the party has preserved records of the proceedings and would study the judgment when it became available. He explained that the document would provide the basis for assessing the court’s interpretation of the evidence and the legal reasoning behind the conviction.
The Manhyia South MP also questioned whether assumptions could establish criminal responsibility in a case involving a mining concession. He argued that the presence of mining equipment on land connected to a concession holder required evidence linking the activities directly to the accused person.
“No amount of assumptions can replace evidence. The standard of proof is beyond reasonable doubt.”
Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
Against this backdrop, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah added that the party would wait for the full judgment before determining its next position on the matter. He added that a proper assessment of the court’s findings would require close examination of the evidence, the proceedings and the legal basis for the conviction.
Court’s Mining Evidence Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Assignment Claims
The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah also questioned the legal basis for the conviction of Bernard Antwi Boasiako on charges involving the assignment of mineral rights and the facilitation of unlicensed mining operations. He argued that the prosecution needed to establish the existence of a legal assignment before ministerial approval could become a requirement under the Minerals and Mining Act.
Addressing the specific charges, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah emphasised that the prosecution’s case involved allegations that Wontumi, as controlling director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, permitted two individuals to undertake mining operations within the company’s concession. He argued that the requirement for prior written approval from the Minister depends on proof that an assignment took place.
Furthermore, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah said an assignment of an interest in land or mineral rights carries specific legal requirements. He explained that the transaction needed written documentation capable of establishing the transfer before the prosecution could rely on the absence of ministerial approval as part of its case.
The MP therefore questioned how the court arrived at its decision when the defence has not seen evidence of a document showing that Wontumi assigned his mineral rights to Henry Okuim or Michael Kwadwo Ahiesu. He said the absence of such evidence is a central part of the questions raised by the defence over the conviction.
In addition, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah addressed the counts involving the alleged facilitation of unlicensed mining operations. He explained that the prosecution has to connect the accused person directly to the conduct prohibited by the relevant provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act.
The case involved six counts, with the court sentencing Bernard Antwi Boasiako to imprisonment on four counts and imposing fines on the remaining two. The charges included assignment of mineral rights without approval and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation.
From his perspective, the full judgment would determine how the court interpreted the evidence and applied the law to the charges. He added that the record of proceedings, including evidence in chief and cross examination, would remain important to any assessment of the legal reasoning behind the decision.
“An assignment of a right in land is legal and statutory. It must be in writing, so where is that assignment if you cannot produce evidence of it?”
Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
Nevertheless, the Manhyia South MP said the next stage of the matter would require careful examination of the written judgment and the evidence relied upon by the court. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah indicated that the party would study the ruling closely to understand how the prosecution’s case met the legal requirements for conviction before the next action is taken.
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