The Minority in Parliament has called for equal enforcement of Ghana’s anti-illegal mining laws and urged the Court of Appeal to closely review aspects of the trial that resulted in the conviction of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Addressing the media, the Member of Parliament for Dormaa East, Patricia Appiagyei, criticised what the caucus described as selective application of justice in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

She argued that perceived inconsistencies in enforcement could weaken public confidence in state institutions.

“Public trust in institutions that must outlive any single administration is corroded. We therefore call on the Attorney General to publish the state's enforcement record on illegal mining across the political spectrum,” she said.

The Minority also called on the Court of Appeal to examine key decisions made during the trial, including the court’s refusal to refer certain legal questions to the Supreme Court and the decision to lift the corporate veil of Akonta Mining Company Limited.

“We call on the Court of Appeal to scrutinise the denial of counsel, the refusal to refer, and the veil piercing with equal and unflinching rigor,” Mrs Appiagyei stated.

She further urged the judiciary to revisit the legal threshold for constitutional referrals, citing the Supreme Court’s decision in the case involving former Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and private legal practitioner, Justice Srem-Sai, popularly referred to as the Zanator case.

“We call on the judiciary to reaffirm the threshold for constitutional referral with express regard to the Supreme Court's own decision in the Zanator case,” she added.

The Minority’s comments follow the conviction and sentencing of Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited by the Accra High Court in a case involving alleged breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

The court sentenced Mr Antwi-Boasiako to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour and imposed a fine after finding him guilty on charges connected to mining activities conducted without the required approval.

The Minority has maintained that while illegal mining must be tackled, the law must be applied fairly and without political discrimination.

The Attorney General’s Office has previously insisted that prosecutions are based on evidence available to the state and not political affiliation.