Minority Lawmakers Clad in Black in Parliament to Protest Chairman Wontumi’s Conviction | Discuss Ghana

Members of Parliament on the Minority side arrived in the chamber of Parliament wearing full black attire in a synchronized visual protest against the High Court's 20-year sentencing of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi).

The dramatic display—occurring a day after Criminal Court 4 convicted Wontumi in the Samreboi illegal mining trial—was organized by the opposition caucus to signal mourning over what they describe as a "miscarriage of justice" and the political victimization of key opposition figures.

Symbolic Protest on the Floor of Parliament

Protest Attire & Atmosphere: Opposition lawmakers filed onto the Minority benches wearing black suits, traditional black mourning cloths (brisi), and armbands, creating a somber atmosphere during the morning session.

Procedures & Debates: Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin pointed to the caucus's collective attire during floor proceedings, reiterating that the Minority considers Wontumi a "political prisoner" convicted without sufficient direct evidence under compromised constitutional procedures.

Strategic Stance: While wearing black, Minority MPs maintained that their protest is rooted in defending fair trial guarantees under Article 19 of the 1992 Constitution rather than opposing the broader national fight against illegal mining (galamsey).

Majority Side Rejects Minority Protest

Responding to the Minority's visual protest, members of the Majority side dismissed the black attire as political theater:

Rule of Law vs. Political Drama: Majority lawmakers argued that wearing black in Parliament undermines the independence of the judiciary, stressing that the High Court ruled based on facts and statutory provisions under the Minerals and Mining Act.

Focus on Environmental Restoration: Representatives on the government side called on the opposition to respect court decisions, emphasizing that public officials and concession holders must be held accountable for environmental damage regardless of political status.

With the Minority Caucus continuing to wear mourning colors, parliamentary proceedings remain highly charged as the defense team files stay-of-execution applications at the Court of Appeal.