The uncertainty surrounding Chairman Wontumi’s status following President John Dramani Mahama’s pardon of 863 convicted persons continues, with his team still awaiting official confirmation on whether his name is included among the beneficiaries.
Dr Palgrave Boakye Danquah, spokesperson for businessman and former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, said the team has not received any formal communication confirming that Wontumi has benefited from the presidential clemency.
Stay Updated With Ghana Media
Get breaking Ghana news, exclusive stories and important updates directly on WhatsApp. JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
President Mahama announced the presidential pardon on October 5 as part of an exercise covering 863 convicted persons. The decision was taken under Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution following consultation with the Council of State.
Follow Ghana Media on X for breaking updates and developing stories. FOLLOW GHANA MEDIA ON X
The announcement has generated considerable public interest because Wontumi is currently serving a prison sentence following his conviction in an illegal mining-related case and has appealed the conviction and sentence.
However, the Presidency’s announcement did not initially publish the names of the individual beneficiaries. Instead, it outlined the categories covered by the exercise, leaving questions over whether several high-profile prisoners, including Wontumi, had been included.
Palgrave said Wontumi’s team would therefore not draw conclusions until the relevant authorities provide official details on the names and categories of beneficiaries.
He indicated that, should Wontumi’s name appear, the team’s expectation would be for him to have been considered under the Special Recommendation or Petition category.
The presidential exercise covers several groups. According to the official announcement, 819 first offenders were granted outright release, while 13 persons aged 70 and above and six seriously ill prisoners were also granted outright release.
In addition, 11 death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, six life sentences were reduced to 20-year definite terms, two people received outright release under special recommendation, three cases were considered through petitions and three others fell under a separate category described as “others.”
The figures bring the total number of convicted persons covered by the exercise to 863.
For Wontumi’s team, however, the broader presidential announcement does not yet settle his individual status.
Palgrave said the immediate priority remains the legal process surrounding Wontumi’s conviction, particularly the effort to secure bail pending the determination of his appeal.
The team is expected to pursue a bail application on October 15, while continuing to challenge the conviction and sentence through the appellate process.
Wontumi’s situation therefore remains a developing legal and political story, with two separate questions now attracting public attention: whether he is among the beneficiaries of the President’s clemency exercise and whether his appeal and bail application will succeed.
Until official confirmation is issued, GhanaMedia.net will not state that Wontumi has been pardoned. His inclusion among the 863 beneficiaries remains unconfirmed based on the latest official communication available.
