The New Patriotic Party has vowed to appeal what it describes as a travesty of justice following the High Court's 20-year jail sentence handed to its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Boasiako, well known as Chairman Wontumi.

In a statement shared today in reaction to the sentence, Justin Kodua, the party's General Secretary, noted that the prosecution had no evidence of the charges levelled against the regional party chairman; hence, the sentence was purely based on assumptions and claims which could not be proven.

"The prosecution could not produce any evidence to show that Wontumi had assigned his mineral rights. Instead, the conviction rested on assumptions and inferences which, in our view, could not amount to proof beyond reasonable doubt. That is why we firmly believe that this conviction is a travesty of justice and has to be overturned on appeal," parts of the statement read.

While acknowledging the authority of the judiciary, the NPP noted that it would not stay silent in the face of such injustice against its chairman and would therefore appeal.

"While we respect the authority of our courts, respect for the judiciary does not require silence in the face of a judgment that is fundamentally flawed. Our Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to disagree with judicial decisions and to seek redress through the appellate process. That is precisely what we intend to do," the statement continued.

According to the NPP, the incumbent government has failed if it thinks the selective persecution of political opponents will stand as proof to the Ghanaian people that is it winning te fight against illegal mining.

They questioned petitions filed against some NDC members in political office who have been accused if being involved in galamsey and remain free without questions or pursuit of the petitions.

"Today, the John Mahama-led NDC Government may seek to celebrate this conviction as evidence of its commitment to the fight against illegal mining, where there is evidence of Galamsey on a large scale engaged in and supervised by leading members of John Mahama’s government. We reject that narrative entirely. They think that the conviction of Chairman Wontumi will be the trophy to appease the Ghanaian people for such failure.

"This is no trophy. The Ghanaian people cannot fail to notice that while political opponents who have done no wrong are being aggressively prosecuted, questions remain unanswered regarding individuals associated with his Party and Government who have themselves been publicly linked to illegal mining activities".

The NPP went on to accussethe government of prioritising what it describes as politically motivated prosecutions over addressing pressing national challenges.

Citing what they describe as "more urgent challenges", including growing security threats, the destructive impact of illegal mining on cocoa farmers and farming communities, recurrent flooding, and the increasing threat of terrorism within the sub-region, they urged the government to focus on resolving those instead of perscuting opponents.

"We also wish to state that Ghana faces challenges far greater than political persecution. At a time when our nation is grappling with growing security threats, the devastating impact of illegal mining on our cocoa farmers and farming communities and the areas owned by the farmers, the Government's inadequate response to recent flooding across the country, and the increasing menace of terrorism within the sub-region, Ghanaians expect leadership that demonstrates urgency, competence, and an unwavering commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods, and national security. No Government should attempt to divert public attention from those pressing national concerns through selective prosecutions designed to create the appearance of success", NPP added.

NPP Statement on Wontumi’s ConvictionDownload