By Ashiadey Dotse
The Accra High Court has convicted Thomas Andy Owusu, an aide to Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, in a corruption case linked to illegal mining, commonly called galamsey.
Owusu, who was the second accused in the case The Republic v. Charles Bissue & Another, pleaded guilty. The court accepted a plea deal under Section 71 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
He was charged with Corruption of a Public Officer and Accepting a Bribe to Influence a Public Officer.
This case began after the release of “Galamsey Fraud Part One” in 2019 by investigative group Tiger Eye PI, led by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
The documentary exposed Owusu and then-presidential staffer Charles Bissue for allegedly helping people secure illegal mining licences in exchange for bribes, bypassing the legal process.
As part of the plea agreement, Owusu will:
Pay a fine of 500 penalty units, which equals GHS 6,000
Refund GHS 200,000 to the state
These payments are linked to a bribe of GHS 15,000 that Owusu gave to influence a public officer.
Following his guilty plea, the court dropped two other charges against him.
With his conviction, the focus of the trial now shifts to the first accused, Charles Bissue, who faces the charge of Using Public Office for Profit, which is a crime under Section 179C(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Charles Bissue is expected to appear in court again on 10 June 2025 for a Case Management Conference.
