Chairman Wontumi's Wild Ride: From CID Summons to GH₵1m Bail in Galamsey Saga!

Published 2 weeks ago• 2 minute read

Pelumi Ilesanmi

Chairman Wontumi's Wild Ride: From CID Summons to GH₵1m Bail in Galamsey Saga!

Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢1 million with two sureties, which he successfully met. This development follows his appearance before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Monday, October 6, 2025, for questioning regarding his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities, specifically concerning his firm Akonta Mining.

Chairman Wontumi's appearance at the CID Headquarters in Accra, accompanied by his legal team led by Andy Appiah-Kubi, came after an ultimatum issued by Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine. Last Friday, Dr. Ayine warned that the NPP regional chairman would face arrest if he failed to report to the police on the stipulated Monday. Wontumi was spotted arriving in a green polo shirt over jeans.

His lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, addressed journalists, affirming his client's readiness to cooperate fully with investigators. Mr. Appiah-Kubi clarified that the initial invitation was for a later date, but a 'communication gap' between the CID Director-General and the Attorney General's offices led to confusion and the directive for an earlier meeting. Despite this, they honored the new directive. He also vigorously cautioned against any attempt to revoke Chairman Wontumi's existing police enquiry bail, emphasizing that his client had not violated any bail conditions and had consistently cooperated with past invitations.

Chairman Wontumi is expected to face three mining-related charges at the High Court in Accra on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. These legal challenges stem from earlier allegations made by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, on April 21, when Akonta Mining Limited was accused of unlawfully selling mining concessions within the Aboi Forest to unauthorized miners. Some concessions were reportedly sold for up to GH₵300,000, while others were exchanged for gold royalties. Following these allegations, the Minister ordered the immediate revocation of all mining licenses held by Akonta Mining. Chairman Wontumi's legal team anticipates receiving the formal charges and ample time to prepare a defense.