Minority Members of Parliament on Tuesday turned up in black attire at Parliament House in a symbolic protest against the conviction and 20-year prison sentence imposed on the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The coordinated action by the NPP lawmakers came a day after the High Court convicted Chairman Wontumi in a case relating to illegal mining, a judgement the opposition party has described as unjust and politically troubling.

The Minority's appearance in black was intended to demonstrate solidarity with the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman while signalling the caucus' dissatisfaction with the court's decision.

Several MPs said the protest reflected what they described as their collective concern over the outcome of the trial and their conviction that the judgement would be challenged through the country's appellate process.

The demonstration followed a strongly worded statement by the Parliamentary Minority and the NPP, both of which rejected the verdict, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish the offence beyond reasonable doubt.

According to the party, Chairman Wontumi lawfully acquired his mining concession, and there was no evidence that he unlawfully assigned or transferred the mineral rights, contrary to the findings of the trial court.

The NPP has subsequently announced its intention to appeal the judgement, describing the conviction as a "travesty of justice" and expressing confidence that the decision would be overturned by the Court of Appeal.

The conviction of Chairman Wontumi has generated widespread political and legal debate, drawing mixed reactions from politicians, legal practitioners, civil society organisations and anti-corruption advocates.

While some groups have welcomed the judgement as a demonstration of accountability in the fight against illegal mining, the opposition insists the verdict raises significant legal questions that deserve further judicial scrutiny.