, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢15 million with two sureties after appearing before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra.){kind=link}
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢15 million with two sureties after appearing before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra.
This development follows ongoing investigations into illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) activities allegedly linked to his company, Akonta Mining Limited.
The Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, had earlier issued a stern warning during a Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) engagement with President John Dramani Mahama in Accra last Friday, October 3, 2025, insisting that Chairman Wontumi should report to the CID or face arrest.
“The charges against Wontumi and Akonta Mining have been signed. He should be here on Monday. If he doesn’t come by Monday, I will order his arrest, and his charges will be read to him,” Dr. Ayine cautioned.
Confirming the ongoing probe, the Director-General of the CID, DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, said investigations into the operations of Akonta Mining are “actively ongoing.”
She revealed that Chairman Wontumi had previously reported to the CID but delayed a recent appointment due to ill health. His lawyers, led by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, submitted a medical excuse letter on his behalf.
“I believe he is now okay because we have communicated to them that he should be seeing us this week, and they have responded,” DCOP Donkor stated, adding that several individuals, including one Akuoko, have also been arrested and questioned in connection with the case.
Chairman Wontumi first appeared before the CID on May 26, 2025, where he was accompanied by his legal team, including Mr. Dame and the former Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi.
In earlier comments on his television network, Wontumi TV, the NPP chairman denied any involvement in illegal mining, emphasizing that Akonta Mining operates under a valid large-scale mining license.
“I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work,” he said.
“I want to tell the public that I am not into galamsey. I have a large-scale company, which Akonta Mining is under… All the required documents I have, I will make all available.”