Incarcerated former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has reportedly apologised to President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama over comments he made during the 2024 election campaign, as he seeks clemency following his recent conviction for facilitating illegal mining.
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after the High Court found him guilty on six charges related to illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.
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Speaking in an interview with Citi FM, Wontumi’s spokesperson, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, said the apology was offered as a gesture of goodwill and formed part of an appeal for President Mahama to exercise his prerogative of mercy.
“The first call is to render an apology, and I think that is important. Former Chairman renders an apology to him if, at some stage, the conversations went overboard, which was never intended,” Boakye-Danquah said.
In the wake of Wontumi’s sentencing, old videos of him responding to Mahama, then the opposition’s presidential candidate, have resurfaced.
Watch the moment Wontumi stated no Government could dare him! Even If Mahama wins power!! …..
🎥: Kafui pic.twitter.com/icerqmUzTv
— THE NEW GHANA🇬🇭 (@ghanaisnew) July 22, 2026
Palgrave Boakye Danquah, however, rejected suggestions that the apology amounted to an admission that politics influenced the legal process leading to Wontumi’s conviction. His remarks contrast with the position of NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, who has described Wontumi’s prosecution as politically motivated and referred to him as a political prisoner.
“Not at all. We are aware that in this country there are influences. If you are able to identify those influences and begin making amends, I think we build a better society for all of us to live in,” he said.
He maintained that the appeal was intended to promote reconciliation and should not be construed as an allegation of political interference in the prosecution or sentencing.
Wontumi, Akonta Mining Limited and a third accused person, Kwame Antwi, were prosecuted over illegal mining activities on the company’s concession at Samreboi. Prosecutors said the accused unlawfully assigned mineral rights without ministerial approval and facilitated mining operations without the authorisation required under the Minerals and Mining Act.