Galamsey Bribery: Wontumi’s Aide Convicted And Slapped With GH₵200K Fine

Thomas Andy Owusu, an aide to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, was found guilty by the High Court today, Wednesday, June 4, in a corruption case involving unlawful mining permits.

Following the Court’s acceptance of a plea deal submitted under section 71 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), Owusu, the second accused in the matter of The Republic v. Charles Bissue & another, was found guilty on his own plea. Accepting a bribe to influence a public official and corrupting a public official were the charges.

This case is related to Tiger Eye PI’s 2019 “Galamsey Fraud Part One” investigation, which found that Owusu and Charles Bissue, a former presidential adviser, helped facilitate unlawful mining licenses for bribes by circumventing formal procedures.

The deal states that Owusu will reimburse the state GH¢200,000 and pay a fine of 500 penalty units, or GH¢6,000, for bribing a public official with GH¢15,000.

Two more accusations were dropped by the court after his conviction: receiving a bribe to influence a public official and corrupting a public official.

Due to Owusu’s conviction, the case is now limited to Charles Bissue, the first accused, who is charged with violating section 179C(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) by using public position for financial gain.

However, the scheduled case management meeting for his trial is set for June 10, 2025.

Read the full statement below;

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