By Daniel Bampoe
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing clampdown on opposition elements, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako—popularly known as Chairman Wontumi—was arrested by operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) shortly after being discharged by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, and was sent to the EOCO.
The arrest, which occurred on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, marks a turning point in a politically charged saga involving allegations of environmental degradation, unauthorized mining operations, and a resurfaced financial scandal linked to COCOBOD.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had initially been invited by the CID to assist with investigations.
He honored the invitation on Monday, May 26, 2025, arriving at the CID headquarters in Accra accompanied by his legal team led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame.
According to an official statement released by the CID, Wontumi was cautioned on three fronts: illegal mining without a license, pollution of water bodies, and unauthorized entry into a forest reserve.
Investigators say the questioning session was cordial and cooperative. Wontumi was subsequently granted bail on the condition that he reported back to the police the following day.
However, Tuesday’s developments took an unexpected turn when NIB operatives arrived and re-arrested him shortly after his follow-up engagement at the CID.
The speed and coordination of the CID and NIB actions have raised public concern about the motivation behind the arrest.
While the state maintains that these are standard legal processes tied to a serious environmental issue, the optics suggest a deeper political undercurrent—especially given Wontumi’s stature as a high-ranking opposition figure in the NPP stronghold of Ashanti Region.
Sources within the security establishment indicate that the NIB is probing more extensive intelligence on Wontumi’s mining operations, particularly links to activities in protected forest zones where evidence of deforestation and river pollution have reportedly been discovered.
Political Allegations
Wontumi has denied all accusations, describing the charges as baseless and politically motivated.
He maintains that his mining firm, Akonta Mining Ltd, has always operated within the bounds of the law.
“This is nothing short of political persecution,” he said in a brief media interaction following his bail.
“My businesses are being targeted simply because I am a vocal member of the opposition.”
His legal team argues that all necessary documentation—including mining leases and environmental permits—were properly secured. They have vowed to challenge any attempt by the state to criminalize what they consider legitimate business operations.
Mining Lease Cancellation
The controversy was compounded earlier this month when the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, under Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, officially revoked the mining lease of Akonta Mining.
The government claimed the company had engaged in unauthorized activities within forest reserves, an accusation that Wontumi’s lawyers vehemently deny.
The NPP stalwart has since filed a legal suit challenging the lease cancellation, describing it as an “unlawful interference” with his business and a violation of due process.
COCOBOD Payment
Beyond the environmental allegations, a financial controversy has resurfaced, further complicating Wontumi’s predicament.
His construction firm, Hallmark Engineering, is alleged to have received GH₵50 million from COCOBOD in the waning days of the Akufo-Addo administration, despite a transitional directive to halt such disbursements.
Critics claim the payment was improperly authorized, possibly as a parting favour to politically connected contractors.
Wontumi has flatly denied these allegations, insisting that the funds were legitimate reimbursement for road projects pre-financed by his company and certified by government engineers.
“We waited for three years to be paid,” he stated. “There is no scandal here—only an attempt to criminalize my success.”
