Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been granted bail by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. The bail, set at GH¢1 million with two sureties, was granted after Chairman Wontumi honoured an invitation by the CID for questioning over alleged illegal mining activities.
According to sources, Chairman Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed that his client was cooperative with investigators but warned against any attempt to revoke his existing police enquiry bail. “Any such move will be vigorously resisted,” he cautioned.
The NPP regional chairman is expected to face three mining-related charges at the High Court in Accra on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The charges stem from allegations of illegal mining activities involving his company, Akonta Mining Limited. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, had previously accused Akonta Mining Limited of unlawfully selling mining concessions within the Aboi Forest to unauthorized miners.
Chairman Wontumi’s legal team has expressed readiness to defend him against the charges while reiterating their opposition to any attempts to revoke his bail