Aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairmanship position, Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has suspended his campaign activities to visit the party’s current Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who has been sentenced to prison in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case.
Speaking on the Ghana Se Sen Show on Lawson TV and Radio on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Kokofu said he and his campaign team have decided to put their campaign on hold and stand with Chairman Wontumi during this difficult period.
According to him, the situation is a reminder that such challenges can happen to anyone, and therefore Chairman Wontumi should not be left alone.
“With heavy hearts, my campaign team and I have suspended our campaign to go to Nsawam Prison and visit Chairman Wontumi. He is not alone; we are with him because this can happen to anyone,” he said.
Kokofu explained that before visiting the Ashanti Regional Chairman at the Nsawam Prison, he would first meet with his wife and children to offer them support.
He added that the situation goes beyond Chairman Wontumi alone, questioning the fate of others who may also face similar challenges in the future.
“It is not only him now; he has seen his fate. What about the remaining people? We need to show support because no one knows what tomorrow holds,” he added.
Chairman Wontumi was recently sentenced by the High Court in Accra to 20 years imprisonment on each of the two counts on which he was convicted in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case. The sentences are, however, to run concurrently.
The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on each count against him, while Akonta Mining Limited, which was convicted on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units for each count.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay found Chairman Wontumi guilty on Counts One and Four, while Akonta Mining Limited was convicted on Counts Three and Six after the court concluded that the prosecution had proven all the essential elements of the offences beyond reasonable doubt.
The conviction came after the court dismissed a last-minute application by the defence seeking to delay judgment and refer constitutional matters to the Supreme Court.
Kokofu said his decision to visit Chairman Wontumi is based on friendship, solidarity, and the need to support a colleague during a challenging moment.
