Chairman Wontumi is suffering – Lawyer Maurice Ampaw begs John Mahama

Private legal practitioner Maurice Ampaw has appealed to Ghanaian business mogul Ibrahim Mahama, brother of President John Dramani Mahama, to intervene in the case of the incarcerated former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

According to Ampaw, Ibrahim Mahama wields enough influence to help secure relief for the former NPP regional chairman. Speaking in an interview on Movement TV, excerpts of which have been widely shared on social media, the outspoken lawyer also called on President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider his stance on Chairman Wontumi’s case. He further urged the President not to allow individuals around him to influence his judgment negatively.

“I pray that Ibrahim Mahama will remember his junior brother because there should be sober reflection. His brother is suffering, and I believe he can do something about it. I believe that he should take advantage of this opportunity to visit Chairman Wontumi in prison and have a talk with him.

“As human beings, we must put aside all acrimonies and reconcile. Time is too short; we don’t have time. Day in and day out, we are all heading towards our graves.”

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Ampaw also appealed directly to President Mahama to reconsider the matter involving Chairman Wontumi.

“That is why I am calling on President Mahama to reflect, with his two and a half years [in office], and reconsider. He shouldn’t allow people around him to deceive him. I know he has a good heart, but people are deceiving him,” he said.

Chairman Wontumi has been in custody at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison since his conviction in July in a case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited.

An Accra High Court sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of offences related to mining activities on the company’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region. The sentences on the two counts are to run concurrently.

Wontumi has since appealed the conviction and sentence. His lawyers filed the appeal at the Court of Appeal on July 28, 2026, challenging the High Court’s decision.