By King Amoah
The streets of Samereboi transformed into a scene of wild jubilation this today June. 20th 2026 as news reached the community that Bernard Antwi Boasiako the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), popularly known as “Chairman Wontumi,” has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
An Accra court handed down the sentence following his conviction for involvement in illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.
For the residents of Samereboi the verdict is not just a legal outcome; it is seen as a long awaited divine and judicial justice.
The town has been at the center of environmental degradation which residents directly link to the operations of Akonta Mining Company,l a firm associated with the embattled politician.
A Legacy of Destruction;
The atmosphere in the town was electric, with locals pouring onto the streets to celebrate what they describe as the end of an era of environmental impunity.
For years, the community has campaigned against the pollution of local water bodies and the widespread destruction of their forests.
When Wontumi was damaging our lands, he acted with unprecedented authority.
He treated the people with absolute contempt and refused to listen to our pleas or follow the mining regulations, one resident stated during the celebration.
Community members pointed to the catastrophic flooding that recently devastated Samereboi as a direct result of Chairman Wontumi’s company’s activities.
They argue that the systemic blockages of major water bodies caused by mining waste and illegal excavations left the town vulnerable to the recent surges that destroyed homes and livelihoods.
Who Will Console Wontum?”
Among those rejoicing were victims of the recent floods who lost everything to the rising waters.
Kwame Baffour, a local resident whose home was submerged during the floods expressed no sympathy for the politician’s fate.
Some of us lost our properties including our homes and life savings. Now that God is punishing this man who should console him?
He didn’t console us when we were sleeping in the open, Baffour stated. We thank the judge and the government for finally applying the laws of the land to teach Wontumi a bitter lesson.
It is a win for the environment and a win for us. he added
A Call for Uniform Justice:
While the mood in Samereboi is celebratory, the residents also send a stern message to the government.
They are calling on the authorities to ensure that this conviction is not an isolated incident.
They insisted that many other “galamsey” operators continue to act with similar disregard for the law, driven by greed at the expense of national development.
The government must extend its cane to every single person involved in this destruction,, another resident remarked.
The law must be blind to status, political affiliation or wealth. If we are to save our water bodies and our future every offender must face the same fate as meted out on Chairman Wontumi, they advised.
As the community begins to process the news the conviction of Chairman Wontumi has become a symbol of hope for many across the country who have felt powerless against the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining.
For now, the people of Samereboi are marking the moment with cheers, relief, and a renewed call for the protection of their lands
Editor’s Note: This report covers the public reaction following the court’s ruling. We continue to monitor developments regarding potential appeals or further legal actions related to the Akonta Mining Company
