The Ashanti Regional Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Yandoh, has shared details of what he described as an emotional visit to Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison. His account comes just days after the former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP was sentenced by an Accra High Court in a case linked to illegal mining activities involving Akonta Mining Limited.
Speaking in a video sighted by GhanaWeb on July 25, 2026, Yandoh explained that he was part of a delegation made up of constituency chairmen, regional executives of the NPP and staff members from Wontumi Multimedia. The group travelled to the prison on Friday, July 24, 2026, to visit the politician following his imprisonment.
According to Yandoh, the visit was an emotional experience for everyone present, as they had to follow several prison procedures before they were finally allowed to meet Chairman Wontumi.
Visitors Had to Follow Strict Prison Procedures
Describing the process, Paul Yandoh said prison authorities required every visitor to comply with strict security measures before access was granted to the inmate.
He explained that even the food the delegation brought for Chairman Wontumi was carefully inspected by prison officers before it could be accepted. According to him, members of the group were instructed to taste the food themselves before it was handed over.
Yandoh suggested that the measures reflected the security procedures that prison authorities follow whenever inmates receive visitors.
Recalling the moment they eventually met the imprisoned politician, he said the experience left him deeply saddened.
“I was really saddened…. There are strict protocols to observe before seeing an inmate. Even the food we took along, we were made to taste. When we finally saw Chairman Wontumi, his entire body was shaking,” Yandoh said.
His comments have since attracted widespread public attention, with many Ghanaians discussing the conditions under which prison visits are conducted.
Visitors Were Told Not to Cry
Paul Yandoh also claimed that prison officials gave specific instructions to members of the delegation before they entered to see Chairman Wontumi.
According to him, visitors were informed that they should avoid becoming overly emotional during the meeting.
He said prison authorities specifically instructed them not to cry while visiting the inmate.
“They told us no crying,” he stated.
Although Yandoh did not provide additional details about the reason for the instruction, prison facilities often operate under established regulations intended to maintain order and ensure that visits take place in a controlled environment.
His comments have generated public discussion on social media, with some people expressing sympathy while others have questioned the circumstances surrounding the case.
Yandoh Defends Chairman Wontumi
During his remarks, Paul Yandoh also defended Chairman Wontumi against the allegations that led to his conviction.
He maintained that the politician had not been involved in illegal mining activities and argued that the treatment meted out to him was unfair.
Yandoh accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of treating the NPP politician unjustly.
“The NDC has done a great disservice to Wontumi. He was not involved in galamsey,” he alleged.
His comments reflect the position of some members of the opposition New Patriotic Party, who continue to insist that Chairman Wontumi is innocent despite the court’s ruling.
The governing NDC has not publicly responded to Yandoh’s latest remarks in the report.
Court Sentenced Wontumi to 20 Years in Prison
Chairman Wontumi’s imprisonment followed a judgment delivered by an Accra High Court on July 20, 2026.
The court convicted him on charges connected to illegal mining operations involving Akonta Mining Limited in what has become widely known as the Samreboi case.
Following the conviction, the court sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000.
The judgment further stated that if the fine is not paid, a default prison sentence of three years would apply.
The case has attracted nationwide attention because of Chairman Wontumi’s political influence and his role as a leading figure within the New Patriotic Party.
Chairman Wontumi Denied Any Wrongdoing
Throughout the legal proceedings, Chairman Wontumi consistently denied all allegations brought against him.
His legal team argued against the charges during the trial and maintained that he had committed no offence.
Despite these arguments, the High Court found him guilty on the charges before imposing the prison sentence and financial penalty.
As with many high-profile court cases involving prominent political figures, the judgment has generated mixed reactions from the public, with some supporting the court’s decision while others believe the conviction should be reviewed.
NPP Announces Plans to Appeal
Following the High Court’s judgment, the New Patriotic Party announced that it intends to challenge the conviction through the legal process.
According to the party, an appeal will be filed in an effort to overturn the decision of the High Court.
An appeal allows a higher court to review the legal and factual issues raised during the original trial. The appellate court may uphold the conviction, vary the sentence or overturn the judgment if it finds legal grounds for doing so.
The announcement means that Chairman Wontumi’s legal battle is likely to continue in the coming months as the appeal process unfolds.
Case Continues to Generate National Debate
The conviction of Chairman Wontumi has remained one of the most widely discussed political and legal stories in Ghana.
Supporters of the NPP have questioned the judgment and expressed sympathy for the former Ashanti Regional Chairman, while others believe the court’s decision demonstrates that the law should apply equally to everyone regardless of political affiliation.
The comments made by Paul Yandoh after his prison visit have added another layer to the national conversation, particularly because they provide a personal account of the conditions under which the imprisoned politician is being held.
At the same time, Yandoh’s defence of Chairman Wontumi reflects the continued political disagreements surrounding the case, especially regarding the allegations of illegal mining that formed the basis of the prosecution.
What Happens Next?
Attention will now shift to the appeal that the New Patriotic Party says it intends to file on behalf of Chairman Wontumi.
If the appeal proceeds, a higher court will review the case and determine whether the conviction or sentence should stand. Until then, the High Court’s judgment remains in force.
Meanwhile, public interest in the case is expected to remain high as supporters, political observers and legal analysts closely monitor future developments.
Paul Yandoh’s account of his visit to Nsawam Prison has further intensified discussions about the case, with his emotional description of the visit and his defence of Chairman Wontumi continuing to generate reactions across the country. As the legal process moves forward, the final outcome will depend on the decisions reached by the courts through Ghana’s judicial system.
