Wontumi in Prison: Officer explains what food to bring for a convicted prisoner

CSP Richard Bukari, Public Relations Officer of the Kumasi Central Prisons, has advised the public on the types of food items that are appropriate to bring to inmates in prison.

Speaking in an interview with Esra TV, a clip of which has been shared on social media, CSP Bukari addressed concerns following the sentencing of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

He explained that, as a convicted prisoner, Wontumi, who is serving his sentence in Nsawam, is only permitted to receive visitors once every two weeks.

He noted that because of the interval between visits and the lack of refrigeration facilities in prison, visitors are discouraged from bringing highly perishable food items.

Please have mercy and forgive Wontumi for all his comments against you, family - Palgrave to Mahama

"When you bring any form of food, you will meet the person and give it to him or her, but you will first have to taste the food before you will be allowed to hand it over.

"If the person is a remand prisoner, you can visit the person every day except Saturdays and public holidays. If he or she is a convicted prisoner, you can visit the person every two weeks. So, I will plead with those who are coming to visit Wontumi to bring food that can be kept for a long time, "he said.

He added, "For example, fufu will only last for one day because there is no refrigerator to preserve perishable foods. It is advisable to bring items such as sugar and sachets of Milo, This Way, foods that can last longer. We do not accept bottled items. Everything you bring must be in rubber because bottles and cans are considered potential weapons.

"So, if anyone is going to visit the Chairman, you must follow these rules. Do not bring a mobile phone, weed, tramadol or any other prohibited item. If you bring anything that is against the law, you will be arrested.”

Chairman Wontumi has been 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.

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.

Chairman Wontumi doesn't need fufu in prison; visit him with sachet milo, sugar, and Dis Way instead." - Chief Supt. Richard Bukari, Ashanti

Regional Prisons Service PRO.😂😂🔥🔥,, Everyone get power pic.twitter.com/jPuvAU34oT

— INFO360GH (@infoghana360) July 25, 2026

No contradictions in Finance Minister's Mid-Year Budget presentation - Majority Leader



Afenyo-Markin responds to Finance Minister's 2026 Mid Year Budget Review presentation



Ghana's recovery due to superior economic management - Ato Forson

Majority, Minority chant 'Free Wontumi', 'Bring Ken Back' after 2026 mid year budget review