Wontumi’s aide convicted in galamsey bribery case, fined GH₵200K

The High Court convicted Thomas Andy Owusu today, June 4. He is an aide to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi. The case involves corruption related to illegal mining licensing.

Owusu was the second accused in The Republic v. Charles Bissue & another. He pleaded guilty after the court accepted a plea agreement under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017.

The charges included corruption of a public officer and accepting a bribe. This case arose from the 2019 "Galamsey Fraud Part One" investigation by Tiger Eye PI. It implicated Owusu and Charles Bissue in facilitating illegal mining licenses for bribes.

According to the plea agreement, Owusu must pay:
- A fine of 500 penalty units (GH¢ 6,000).
- Restitution of GH¢200,000 to the state for bribing a public officer with GH¢15,000.

After his conviction, the court dismissed two additional charges against him. These were also related to corruption and bribery.

Owusu’s conviction now focuses on Charles Bissue's case. Bissue is accused of using public office for profit under section 179C(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960. His trial will continue on June 10, 2025, with a scheduled case management conference.