Minority MPs continuously screamed “Release Wontumi! Release Wontumi!” during Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review in Parliament today, causing tensions.
As the House discussed economic developments under the government of President John Dramani Mahama, the chants broke out.
The slogan was intended at the government by the Minority, which is run by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and it called for the release of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, a prominent NPP politician who has been imprisoned for 20 years for illegal mining.
Every time the government’s economic recovery narrative and President Mahama’s leadership were mentioned, the minority benches erupted into prolonged chants.
The Speaker tried to re-establish order at one point, which momentarily interrupted the session.
“Wontumi, release! President Mahama, listen to us! A few members of the minority group were heard yelling, connecting the appeal to more general allegations of political persecution of opposition leaders.
Dr. Forson temporarily paused but carried on with his presentation of the government’s mid-year performance, which highlighted robust GDP growth, falling inflation, and debt reduction.
The political chanting highlighted the stark partisan division in the House, but the Minister concentrated on policy accomplishments, such as infrastructure projects, tax reforms, and fiscal restraint.
According to the Minority, the cries are a reflection of their mounting dissatisfaction with what they call the “selective prosecution” of opposition leaders.
Chairman Wontumi has been a strong opponent of the Mahama administration, and the NPP has used his ongoing legal disputes as a focal point.
The majority side claimed that the administration is more concerned with achieving outcomes for Ghanaians than pursuing political grudges, dismissing the shouts as “unnecessary distractions” from the important task of national development.
Following the Speaker’s intervention, the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review presentation eventually resumed; the complete content is anticipated to be recorded in the Hansard.
Despite the government’s favourable macroeconomic data for the first half of 2026, this incident underscores the tense political climate in Ghana’s Parliament.
Background
Wontumi was given a 20-year prison sentence with hard labour by the Accra High Court.
He was convicted of crimes pertaining to illicit mining, or galamsey.
In Ghana’s battle against illicit mining, the historic decision represents one of the most important convictions.
According to Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, the prosecution had established beyond a reasonable doubt that Wontumi had illegally granted mineral rights and intentionally enabled unlicensed mining operations on the Akonta Mining Company Limited concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.
Wontumi was found guilty on two charges by the court:
- Assigning mineral rights without the approval of the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources.
- Purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation.
The court also found Akonta Mining Company Limited guilty of related corporate offences and imposed a punishment.
Police investigations started following an anti-galamsey operation at Akonta Mining’s concession in April 2025, according to the ruling.
29 suspects were arrested as a result of such operation. Excavators, guns, ammo, vehicles, suspected gold, and substantial amounts of cash were all found by the officers.
Source: newsthemegh.com