BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted bail by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in the sum of GH¢50 million with two sureties to be justified.
The development follows a whirlwind sequence of arrests, re-arrests, and expanding investigations into alleged environmental and financial infractions.
Wontumi was initially invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Monday, May 26, 2025, to assist with a probe into illegal mining activities.
Accompanied by a legal team led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, the NPP stalwart appeared at the CID headquarters in Accra, where he was reportedly cooperative during questioning.
According to a statement from the CID, Wontumi was cautioned on three main issues: engaging in mining without a license, polluting water bodies, and unauthorized entry into a forest reserve.
He was granted bail under police supervision and asked to report back the following day.
However, on Tuesday, May 27, events took a dramatic turn. Just after his follow-up meeting at the CID, Wontumi was re-arrested by operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and transferred to EOCO custody.
This swift and coordinated action by multiple security agencies has fueled widespread speculation about the political motivations behind the unfolding saga.
Deeper Political Undercurrent?
While state authorities insist the arrests are grounded in legal procedure and environmental enforcement, critics argue that the optics suggest a politically motivated clampdown—particularly as Wontumi remains a high-profile opposition figure in the NPP’s electoral stronghold of the Ashanti Region.
Security sources hint that the NIB is exploring broader intelligence linking Wontumi’s mining ventures—particularly through Akonta Mining Ltd—to illegal activities in protected forest zones.
Reports from the Forestry Commission and other environmental watchdogs have cited extensive deforestation and water pollution in areas allegedly connected to his operations.
Wontumi’s Response: “Political Persecution”
Wontumi has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
In a brief interaction with reporters after being granted bail, he described the charges as “baseless” and part of a wider political campaign to target opponents of the current administration.
“This is nothing short of political persecution,” Wontumi declared. “My businesses are being targeted simply because I am a vocal member of the opposition.”
His legal team insists that all mining activities carried out by Akonta Mining were legal, with valid leases and environmental permits approved by state agencies.
They have vowed to resist any state-led attempt to criminalize what they argue are legitimate commercial operations.
Lease Revocation and Legal Showdown
Earlier in May, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, led by Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, officially revoked the mining lease held by Akonta Mining.
The ministry cited violations involving unauthorized operations in forest reserves.
Wontumi’s lawyers have since filed a legal suit challenging the decision, arguing that the lease revocation was politically tainted and failed to follow due process.
“This is an unlawful interference in our business,” a statement from his legal representatives said.
“We will not allow administrative overreach to stifle legitimate investment.”
COCOBOD Controversy
The legal entanglements extend beyond mining. A resurfaced financial scandal now looms large over Wontumi.
His construction firm, Hallmark Engineering, is alleged to have received GH¢50 million from COCOBOD during the final days of the Akufo-Addo administration—despite a transitional directive that such payments be halted.
Critics contend the disbursement may have been an improperly sanctioned payoff to politically connected contractors.
However, Wontumi has pushed back strongly, insisting that the money was a reimbursement for road projects his company pre-financed, which had been duly certified by state engineers.
“We waited for three years to be paid,” he said. “There is no scandal here—only an attempt to criminalize my success.”
