Lawyer Martin Kpebu has described convicted illegal miner Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a “kingpin” in Ghana’s illegal mining sector.

He argued that the conviction reflects the long-standing demand for authorities to target the masterminds behind galamsey rather than their subordinates.

His comments come after the High Court in Accra on Monday found the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman guilty in the Samreboi illegal mining case and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

The conviction has sparked widespread debate, particularly because two individuals who admitted during the trial that they were involved in the illegal mining activities testified as prosecution witnesses and were not prosecuted.

The High Court’s decision marks one of the most significant convictions in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, with Wontumi becoming one of the highest-profile political figures to be jailed over offences linked to galamsey.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, Mr Kpebu said the outcome should be viewed in the context of the state’s stated objective of dismantling the leadership behind illegal mining operations.

“... because we’ve always been told that the president wanted to get the kingpins,” he said.

According to him, the two witnesses who testified against Wontumi should be seen as subordinates rather than the principal actors behind the operation.

“So far, it appears Henry Okum and then Michael Ayisi are underlings, and Wontumi is a kingpin,” he stated.

Mr Kpebu argued that Wontumi had, over the years, projected himself publicly as a powerful figure in the mining business.

“Don’t forget, in the past, Wontumi has been to a radio station with gold bars, etc., flaunted wealth, showing necklaces, etc. So Wontumi has posed as a kingpin,” he said.

For that reason, he maintained that using the two men as prosecution witnesses to secure a conviction against Wontumi was consistent with the broader objective of targeting those believed to be directing illegal mining activities.

“And we all want kingpins, not underlings. So Okum and Ayisi are underlings. That’s why they were used as prosecution witnesses to get their kingpin,” Kpebu said.