Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is in good health and settling into the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, according to his campaign manager, George Boahen Oduro.
Mr. Oduro, speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, July 21, said he and four others visited Wontumi at the facility after he was admitted on Monday evening to begin serving his sentence.
He disclosed that although prison authorities were still completing the mandatory admission and profiling procedures, Wontumi had adjusted to the facility and was in good condition.
“This morning we paid him a visit and as I speak to you now, he has started serving his sentence. He was admitted yesterday around 4 p.m. and he is at Nsawam as we speak,” Mr. Oduro said.
He praised officers of the Ghana Prisons Service for their professionalism during the visit, describing their conduct as courteous while following the required procedures for newly admitted inmates.
Mr. Oduro explained that the delegation was initially not granted access to Wontumi because he was undergoing routine profiling, including documentation and other admission formalities.
He said after informing prison officials that they had brought essential personal items for him, Wontumi’s younger brother was allowed into the facility to deliver the items.
According to him, Wontumi’s brother later confirmed that the NPP figure was doing well.
“He said he is very well. He’s okay and everything is fine,” he stated.
Mr. Oduro clarified that the restricted access was only due to the admission process and did not amount to a denial of visitation rights.
He added that prison officials had asked the delegation to return on Wednesday when Wontumi would be available for regular visits after the profiling process was completed.
Chairman Wontumi was on Monday sentenced by the High Court in Accra to 20 years’ imprisonment in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case.
He was also fined 10,000 penalty units on each count, while Akonta Mining Limited, which was convicted on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units for each offence.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay convicted Wontumi on Counts One and Four and Akonta Mining Limited on Counts Three and Six after ruling that the prosecution had proven the essential elements of the offences beyond reasonable doubt.
