The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Atiwa East in the Eastern Region, Ernest Owusu Ntim, has been convicted of contempt of court by the Koforidua High Court over his conduct in a disputed land and illegal mining case.
The court initially sentenced Mr Ntim to eight days in prison for failing to respect an injunction that barred him and others from entering a parcel of land in dispute and engaging in mining activities known locally as galamsey. That custodial sentence was later reviewed and replaced with a fine of GHC15,000 after submissions from his legal team. 
The contempt proceedings stemmed from a motion for injunction filed in May 2025.
The applicant sought to restrain Mr Ntim and others from entering the land in question, removing soil, digging pits, or engaging in any mining operations while a substantive case over rights to the land was pending before the High Court.
According to court documents, the injunction was served on Mr Ntim and his co-respondents, but allegations later emerged that they re-entered the land despite knowing the matter was before the court. The applicant described the actions as wilful and a direct challenge to the authority of the judiciary. 
Testimony cited in court referenced an incident on 2 May 2025, during which one of Mr Ntim’s brothers was confronted at the site.
He reportedly claimed that once his brother assumed office as MCE, “no one, not even the courts” could interfere with their operations — remarks that featured in the affidavit supporting the contempt application. 
In delivering its ruling, the High Court emphasised that continuing activities covered by the injunction while the substantive case was pending amounted to a disregard for the rule of law.
The judge acknowledged the seriousness of the conduct, particularly given the environmental damage alleged in the underlying dispute, which included destruction of farmland and pollution of key water sources. 
The court’s decision to substitute a custodial sentence with a fine was framed as balanced: the bench indicated the change did not diminish the gravity of the offence but reflected submissions from the defence and the circumstances before the court. 
Illegal mining has been a persistent policy and environmental concern in Ghana, widely known for its impact on water bodies, agriculture, and forest reserves. Public officials found to be involved in or condoning such activities attract heightened scrutiny due to expectations of leadership in upholding laws and regulations. 
The substantive land and mining dispute remains before the High Court, with further hearings expected as the legal process continues. 
