Former Tamale Central MP, Inusah Fuseini, has defended the 20-year prison sentence imposed on NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, arguing that it falls squarely within the sentencing regime established by Parliament.

Speaking on JoyNews' The Pulse on Tuesday, July 21, Mr Fuseini said the punishment was consistent with the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act as amended in 2019 to impose tougher penalties for illegal mining offences.

According to him, the amendment was introduced at a time when Parliament was deeply concerned about the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.

"The sentence is within the legal parameters allowed under Act 99(5), which amended Act 70(3) in 2019, when we were all appalled by the level of illegal mining, the degradation of our environment and the pollution of our water bodies," he said.

Mr Fuseini recalled that then Attorney General Gloria Akuffo had initially proposed a sentencing range of 10 to 15 years for specific illegal mining offences.

However, he said the NPP Majority in Parliament rejected the proposal as too lenient and amended it to provide for a stiffer punishment of between 15 and 25 years.

"The Majority, led by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, proposed that 10 to 15 years was too low. Parliament itself amended the proposal and substituted it with 15 to 25 years," he stated.

He further recalled that during the parliamentary debate, some lawmakers had even advocated harsher measures, including a "shoot-to-kill" approach against illegal miners, underscoring the strong bipartisan resolve at the time to combat galamsey.

Mr Fuseini noted that Wontumi's conviction marks the first significant application of the amended law, saying it has demonstrated the seriousness of the sanctions Parliament deliberately enacted.

He also contrasted the case with an earlier prosecution under the previous NPP administration, arguing that prosecutors then opted for fraud-related charges instead of applying the tougher illegal mining provisions.

His comments come as the Minority in Parliament continues to challenge Wontumi's judgment, arguing that the trial was marred by legal and constitutional defects.