Chairman Wontumi Denies GH₵50m COCOBOD Payment Claims, Released on Bail with Two Sureties

Accra, Ghana - 27 May, 2025 - The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted bail with two sureties by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra.

Wontumi's bail follows his appearance before the CID, where he was charged with alleged involvement in illegal mining, or galamsey. 

The NPP stalwart strongly denied the allegations, presenting his license as evidence of legitimate mining operations. The development comes on the heels of a dramatic attempt by a joint National Security and police team to arrest him at his residence on May 23, which sparked widespread public outcry and a show of support from NPP loyalists. After being granted bail, Wontumi reiterated his innocence, daring authorities to produce any evidence of wrongdoing.

He also addressed allegations of financial impropriety related to his dealings with the Ghana Cocoa Board, describing claims of improper fund collection as baseless.

Wontumi explained that payment for his road construction contracts followed standard procedures, with assessments and payments made based on agreed rates. 

“I was invited by the police and charged with being involved in galamsey,” he said. “I presented my license to them to prove that I do not engage in illegal mining. They also claimed I was working in the forest, but I told them it wasn’t me. If they have any evidence, they should show it to me.”

“If anyone is working there now, I am not aware of it,” he added.

“If you are constructing a road, the government doesn’t give you money upfront—you use your own money,” he explained. “The Ghana Highways Authority and COCOBOD engineers later assess the road and pay you based on agreed rates. My contract stated I should be paid within 28 days, but it took nearly three years. So COCOBOD cannot claim they don’t owe me.”

Source: Lead News Online