What Kennedy Agyapong said when Wontumi's trial began

An old interview featuring former Assin Central Member of Parliament and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, has resurfaced following the sentencing of the party's Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

In the resurfaced video, Kennedy Agyapong expressed disappointment over what he described as the lack of support shown by some NPP members during Wontumi's legal troubles.

He recalled that when the current Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, was standing trial, members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) rallied behind him throughout the court proceedings.

According to Kennedy Agyapong, the same level of solidarity was not extended to Chairman Wontumi by members of the NPP.

He further lamented that some party members even celebrated Wontumi's arrest instead of standing by him.

"I am disappointed in the NPP over our attitude. When issues arise in the party, we cannot come together. Instead, we allow our personal differences to complicate matters and that won't help us. The NDC succeeds because of unity.

“When we were in Parliament, anytime Ato Forson went to court, the NDC MPs would boycott Parliament and accompany him. They would only return to the chamber after the court proceedings.

“I don't understand why, in the NPP, because of power or personal interests, when one of our own faces challenges, some people jubilate, “ he said.

The outspoken former legislator further cautioned, “It won't help us. We need unity in the party and must show solidarity. If we in the NPP don't change this attitude and become one, we could remain in opposition for a long time.”

The interview has gained renewed attention after Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment after the Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court found him guilty on all six charges brought against him.

In a judgment delivered on Monday, July 20, 2026, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ordered that the prison terms run concurrently. The court also fined Wontumi 10,000 penalty units on each of the six counts.

Akonta Mining Limited, which was also convicted on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units on each count.

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The convictions were secured under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 995), which prescribes stiffer penalties for illegal mining-related offences.

Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining Limited, and a third accused person, Kwame Antwi, were prosecuted over alleged illegal mining activities on the company's concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.

According to the prosecution, the accused unlawfully assigned mineral rights on the concession without the approval of the sector minister and facilitated mining activities without the required authorisation, contrary to the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act.

Wontumi got arrested. Kennedy Agyapong didn’t celebrate, he turned around and warned his own party instead.

“Stop rejoicing over each other’s woes.” The point he made is bigger than one arrest. 🎥👇 pic.twitter.com/O8isPn42aK

— The Agyapong Diary 🇬🇭🇫🇷 (@AgyapongDiary) July 24, 2026

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