'Nothing can stop Wontumi's dream of becoming NPP National Chairman' - Simon Osei-Mensah

A former Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei‑Mensah, has declared that the incarceration of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi‑Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will not prevent him from contesting for the position of National Chairman of the party.

His comments followed the July 20, 2026, High Court ruling, in which Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty on six charges related to illegal mining.

Speaking in an interview with Accra‑based Adom FM and sighted by GhanaWeb on July 21, 2026, Osei‑Mensah stressed that any attempt to block Wontumi’s ambition to lead the party at the national level would prove futile.

Chairman Wontumi jailed for 20 years

According to him, Wontumi’s determination and influence within the NPP remain strong despite the court’s judgement, and he believes the party’s internal processes will ultimately allow him to pursue his bid for national chairmanship.

“If anyone believes this will deter him from becoming the National Chairman, they should think again,” he said.

Chairman Wontumi’s sentencing stems from the Samreboi mining case, where he was accused of engaging in illegal mining activities and violating Ghana’s mining and environmental laws.

Investigations revealed that Wontumi, through his company Akonta Mining Limited, had allegedly operated concessions without proper authorization, raising concerns about environmental degradation and breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

Chairman Wontumi found guilty in Samreboi illegal mining case

The matter was brought before the Accra High Court (Criminal Court 4 Division), presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie‑Tay.

After months of hearings, the court found him guilty on six counts, including unlawful assignment of mineral rights and facilitating unlicensed mining operations.

On July 20, 2026, Justice Kocuvie‑Tay sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

In addition, Wontumi was fined 10,000 penalty units per count.

Watch the video below:

Wontumi's dream of becoming the NPP National Chairman is not over. If it is God's will, nothing can stop it - Simon Osei Mensah pic.twitter.com/c4xhdqmSSn

— Adom1063fm (@Adom1063fm) July 20, 2026

VKB/VPO

'There was no evidence that Wontumi assigned his mineral rights' - Justin Kodua