Wontumi Not a Political Prisoner; Court’s Ruling Was Fair and Square – Prof. Appiagyei Atua

Professor of International Law at the University of Ghana, Kwadwo Appiagyei Atua, has dismissed claims that New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is a political prisoner following his conviction and 20-year prison sentence over illegal mining activities.

Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews on Saturday, Prof. Appiagyei Atua said his review of portions of the court’s judgment convinced him that the trial was conducted fairly and that the verdict was firmly grounded in the evidence presented before the court.

“Having listened to, well, not much of the discussion going on, but having had the time to read just portions of the judgment, I come to the conclusion that clearly this was a decision that was fairly decided by the courts,” he stated.

Responding to a question from host Samson Lardy Anyenini on whether Wontumi could be described as a political prisoner, Prof. Atua rejected the assertion outright.

“Not at all. I think the whole idea of a political prisoner is totally blown out of proportion. There is no connection at all between what Wontumi did or what he has done and the claim that he is a political prisoner.”

The legal scholar explained that the term “political prisoner” applies to individuals who are persecuted, detained or imprisoned because of their political beliefs, advocacy for democracy, human rights, or criticism of those in authority—not because they have been convicted of criminal offences.

“If you are a political prisoner, it means that you have not committed any offence and that you have come up with some thoughts and ideas that challenge the powers that be… you are speaking truth to power and challenging orthodoxy, and therefore you are being silenced,” he explained.

He added that political prisoners are typically targeted for their beliefs or activism and may be imprisoned, harassed or forced into exile solely because of their political views.

“That is where, whether they put you in prison or they try to hound you or they try to force you out of the country into exile, that is where you can talk about somebody as a political prisoner.”

According to Prof. Appiagyei Atua, Wontumi’s case falls far outside that definition.

“So there is no way that we can term Mr Wontumi’s case as a case of a political prisoner, not in any sense at all.”

He also criticised the NPP for characterising Wontumi as a political prisoner after the court handed down its judgment.

“I think the NPP went below the belt by drawing that conclusion.”

Prof. Appiagyei Atua further defended the trial judge, saying the ruling reflected a careful and objective assessment of the evidence, particularly given the politically sensitive nature of the case.

“In my opinion, the decision was fair and square. It is a very good decision and the judge took time, probably because of the political context in which the case arose.”

He concluded by commending the judge for ensuring that all the evidence was rigorously examined before delivering the verdict.

“She made sure that all the evidence was tested, and the decision that she came to is, I think, one that should be applauded.”