The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi has been granted bail with two sureties after appearing before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra on charges related to illegal mining and activities within forest reserves.
Chairman Wontumi voluntarily presented himself at the CID headquarters on Monday, May 26, 2025, following a failed attempt by National Security operatives to execute a search warrant at his Kumasi residence on May 23.
The incident drew a crowd of supporters and led to a tense standoff, which was resolved through negotiations between his legal team and security officials.
Upon arrival, Wontumi was questioned on two main allegations: engaging in illegal mining (locally known as galamsey) and conducting mining operations within forest reserves.
Speaking to journalists after his release, Wontumi firmly denied both charges.
“The police invited me and the charge against me was that I was doing galamsey. So I produced my license and lease to prove that I am not an illegal miner or involved in galamsey,” Wontumi stated.
“Secondly, they said I was working in the forest. I denied that, insisting it is not me. I have not worked in any forest. If they have evidence, they should produce it,” he added.
Wontumi further explained that while he had previously applied for a license to mine in forest, the relevant authorities, Forestry Commission, Lands Commission, and Minerals Commission had clarified that the Forestry Commission was the custodian of such areas, and he had never operated there.
“I have not been there before, so if people are mining there, it is not me, nor is it in my name”, he emphasized.
The NPP regional chairman was granted bail with two sureties and was accompanied by his legal team, including former Attorney General Godfred Dame, who took over as lead counsel after initial lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi stepped aside.
When asked whether the CID questioned him about a reported GH¢50 million payment by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to his company, Hallmark Civil Engineering, Wontumi emphatically denied any wrongdoing.
“No, the CID did not ask me about the COCOBOD matter,” he said.
He also clarified the nature of his contract with COCOBOD, stating: “It is never true that I have taken COCOBOD money. If you’re going to construct a road, it is not the government that gives you money; it is you, the contractor, who uses your own money to do the work. When the work is done, highways and COCOBOD engineers value the road and raise certificates. My contract with COCOBOD was that when certificates are raised, they should pay me within 28 days, but it took about three years before paying me. So COCOBOD cannot say they did not owe me, Chairman Wontumi.”
Source : www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
