'I have just parted ways with him' – Palgrave confirms Wontumi's transfer to Nsawam Prison

Former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has confirmed that Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been transferred to Nsawam Medium Security Prison to begin serving his 20-year prison sentence.

Speaking on Asempa FM's Ekosiisen programme shortly after the High Court delivered its judgment on Monday, July 20, Dr Boakye-Danquah disclosed that he had been with Chairman Wontumi moments before prison authorities escorted him to the correctional facility.

"I have just parted ways with him, and he is being taken to Nsawam. How did we get to this stage as a country?" he said.

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His comments came hours after the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court convicted Chairman Wontumi over illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay sentenced the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman to two concurrent 20-year prison terms and imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000. Failure to pay the fine would attract an additional three-year custodial sentence.

Dr Boakye-Danquah said the defence team was taken aback by the verdict, insisting that they had been confident that the evidence presented during the trial did not establish Chairman Wontumi's direct involvement in illegal mining.

"We did not expect this outcome because, based on the evidence we provided, it was clear that there was nothing presented in court that showed Chairman Wontumi was personally involved in illegal mining throughout the proceedings," he stated.

He also revealed that the defence had expected the High Court to defer its judgment because of a pending application before the Supreme Court.

"We were therefore very hopeful that, considering the application that was filed at the Supreme Court, Her Ladyship would take her time to consider the matter. Unfortunately, she did not agree with our position and went ahead to deliver her judgment," he said.

Expressing disappointment over the outcome, the former government spokesperson argued that the conviction could be viewed by some as politically motivated because of Chairman Wontumi's position within the opposition NPP.

"It is very sad. It feels like a form of political victimisation of a politically exposed individual," he remarked.

He further underscored Chairman Wontumi's influence within the party, saying:

"We are not talking about just any other person. We are talking about the sitting Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, the stronghold of the party and the largest opposition party."

Dr Boakye-Danquah also questioned whether authorities would pursue other individuals accused of engaging in illegal mining with the same resolve.

"If this is the direction we are taking, while we know that there are others who are actively involved in galamsey, then we will wait and see how things unfold," he said.

Despite his disappointment, he expressed hope that the development would not deepen political divisions in the country.

"We can only hope and pray that our country can come together and find its way forward."

Defending Chairman Wontumi's conduct throughout the proceedings, Dr Boakye-Danquah maintained that the NPP regional chairman had fully complied with every directive of the court.

"Chairman Wontumi has been law-abiding throughout this case. There was not a single day that he failed to appear in court. We have been very cooperative with the court and followed due process," he said.

NA/BAI

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