Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was handed the lengthy sentence by a court in Accra on Monday after being found guilty of offences connected to mining activities carried out through his company, Akonta Mining.
Boasiako, who serves as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) chairman in the Ashanti Region, has denied the allegations against him. His conviction has triggered anger within the opposition party, which has accused the government and the judicial process of targeting one of its most influential figures for political reasons.
The politician appeared visibly shocked when the sentence was delivered in court, according to reports. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered him to pay fines amounting to more than $10,000, equivalent to approximately Ksh1.29 million.
Boasiako's conviction marks a significant moment in Ghana's long-running fight against illegal mining, commonly known in the country as "galamsey". He is considered the first senior politician in Ghana to be convicted of illegal mining-related offences since authorities intensified efforts to combat the practice in 2017.
The case has attracted considerable public interest because of the political influence Boasiako wields, particularly in the Ashanti Region, a stronghold of the NPP.
Prosecutors accused Boasiako of allowing two individuals, Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi, to conduct mining activities on land operated by Akonta Mining without obtaining the necessary approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
The charges against him included assigning mineral rights without approval and facilitating an unlicensed mining operation.
Illegal mining remains one of Ghana's most serious environmental challenges. Although the country is one of Africa's largest gold producers, unregulated mining activities have caused widespread damage to forests, rivers and farmland.
The practice has polluted major water sources and threatened the livelihoods of communities that depend on agriculture and fishing. Successive governments have introduced various measures to tackle illegal mining, including military operations and law enforcement campaigns, but the problem has continued to persist.
Environmental activists welcomed the court's decision, describing it as an important step towards holding influential individuals accountable for environmental destruction.
Adib Saani, executive director of the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building, said the conviction could send a strong message to politicians and businesspeople who support or benefit from illegal mining activities.
He argued that accountability would be critical if Ghana is to successfully protect its natural resources and reverse the damage caused by illegal mining.
However, the NPP has strongly rejected the suggestion that the conviction represents a fair application of the law.
The party's general secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, accused authorities of selectively pursuing illegal mining cases and claimed that evidence presented during the trial could have cleared Boasiako of wrongdoing.
"The fight against illegal mining cannot become credible only when it targets political opponents in respect of whom evidence of wrongdoing does not exist," Frimpong said.
He further alleged that the judge had overlooked evidence that would have exonerated the politician.
The NPP has now vowed to challenge the conviction through the courts. Frimpong confirmed that the party's legal team had already begun the process of appealing the decision.
The case is expected to attract further attention as the legal battle continues, with supporters of Boasiako demanding justice while environmental campaigners insist that political influence should not shield anyone from accountability.
The conviction has also renewed debate in Ghana over the role of politicians and wealthy business figures in the illegal mining industry. For many environmental advocates, the case represents an opportunity to demonstrate that the fight against galamsey can reach even the most powerful individuals.
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