High-ranking Ghanaian official sentenced to two decades in prison for unlawful mining activities

n n

A Ghanaian court jailed an influential opposition politician for 20 years on Monday after finding him guilty of illegal mining, the most high-profile conviction in the long-running battle against the crime.

n

The gold-rich country has been battling an explosion in illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey” — as well as the environmental pollution, threats to cocoa production and political corruption that have flourished in its wake in recent years.

n

Authorities say galamsey operations have destroyed forests and polluted water courses, and cost the country about $2.0 billion annually.

n

The High Court in Accra found Bernard Antwi-Boasiako — the leader in the Ashanti Region of opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) — guilty on all six charges against him.

n

They include the unlawful assignment of mineral rights and the intentional facilitation of unlicenced mining operations in gold-mining areas.

n

His conviction followed the arrest in April 2025 of several miners and the seizure of excavators, firearms and cash in a police raid on illegal mining operations.

n

“The allegation was never contested. The accused admitted that no ministerial approval was received,” said judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay.

n

The 20-year sentence falls within the statutory punishment range of between 15 and 25 years provided for under the west African country’s laws.

n

The opposition has accused the government of John Mahama, which came into office last year, of selectively targeting its members.

n

Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, is a prominent figure within the NPP, which governed Ghana from 2017 to 2025 before losing power to Mahama’s National Democratic Congress.

n

Several NPP figures, including former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta, have faced investigations or legal proceedings since the NDC returned to power.

n

The government says the investigations and prosecutions are based on evidence and are not politically motivated.

n

Antwi-Boasiako retains the right to appeal against both conviction and sentence.

n

AFP

n n