The High Court today convicted Thomas Andy Owusu, an aide to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (popularly known as Chairman Wontumi), in a corruption case linked to illegal mining licensing.
Owusu, who was the second accused in the case of The Republic v. Charles Bissue & Another, was convicted based on his own plea. The Court accepted a plea agreement entered under section 71 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). The charges against him were “Corruption of a Public Officer” and “Accepting Bribe to Influence a Public Officer.”
This case originated from the 2019 “Galamsey Fraud Part One” investigation conducted by Tiger Eye PI. The investigation implicated Owusu and then-presidential staffer Charles Bissue in allegedly facilitating illegal mining licenses in exchange for bribes, thereby bypassing official regulatory processes.
According to the terms of the plea agreement, Thomas Andy Owusu is required to pay:
A fine of 500 penalty units, which is equivalent to GHS 6,000.
A restitution of GHS 200,000 to the state.
This restitution is for taking GHS 15,000 as compensation to influence a public officer to bypass licensing requirements.
Following his conviction, the High Court formally struck out the two charges against him: “Corruption of a Public Officer” and “Accepting Bribe to Influence a Public Officer.”
Owusu’s conviction now narrows the scope of the case to focus solely on the first accused, Charles Bissue. Bissue is accused of “Using Public Office for Profit,” an offense contrary to section 179C(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). His trial is slated to continue on June 10, 2025, with a scheduled Case Management Conference.
