Wontumi’s 20-year jail term is a political witch-hunt – Daniel Bayivere Alleges
NPP communicator Daniel Bayivere claims Chairman Wontumi's conviction was politically motivated, while calling for equal prosecution of all persons linked to illegal mining activities.
A former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Youth Organiser for the Navrongo Central Constituency, Daniel Bayivere, has described the conviction and 20-year prison sentence handed to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as unfair and politically motivated.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Wednesday, July 22, Bayivere argued that although illegal mining must be tackled, the prosecution failed to hold the individual who allegedly carried out the illegal mining activities on Akonta Mining’s concession accountable.
He maintained that Chairman Wontumi legally acquired the mining concession and had only granted another person permission to undertake land reclamation works, insisting there was no evidence that Wontumi knowingly engaged in illegal mining.
“This incarceration is not fair to me. I see it as an agenda by the NDC government to cripple the NPP,” he said.
Bayivere questioned why the individual who allegedly carried out the illegal mining had not been prosecuted alongside Wontumi if the state was genuinely interested in fighting illegal mining.
“If you really want to fight galamsey, prosecute everybody involved. Don’t leave the one who perpetrated the act and target only Wontumi,” he stated.
He further accused the government of applying selective justice by focusing on opposition figures while investigations involving some individuals associated with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) have yet to produce similar prosecutions.
“You don’t fight galamsey with selective justice. You fight it wholesale,” Daniel said.
Bayivere expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn or reduce the sentence, citing previous cases in which lengthy prison terms were significantly reduced on appeal.
“We are going to appeal this judgment and we believe justice will prevail,” he stated. He stated
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Elizabeth Apusaama
