The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has confirmed reports of a raid by security operatives at his home on Friday, May 23, 2025.

Speaking in an interview with his media house, Wontumi Radio, on Friday, May 23, 2025, the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman indicated that the security officials who stormed his house were from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), adding that they were there to arrest him.

He indicated that before the attempted arrest, the Ghana Police Service had already invited him to their office, so he would resist any attempt of the NIB to arrest him.

“... I called Mr Offie (a police officer) and told him that on Monday we would report to his office. He told me that I should write a receiving note that I had accepted their invitation and added that I would be coming on Monday.

“I did what he asked me to do and gave (sic) them what they requested. Yet, when I woke up this morning, I saw a lot of people in front of my house saying the BNI boss in Kumasi had asked them to come for me. I told them that the police had already informed me that they needed me to assist with an investigation, and I have told them that I will be reporting to them on Monday - so why would he send for me?” Wontumi narrated in Twi.

“I told him no and that I was going to call the police officer. When I called the police, they said they had not sent any person to pick me up and that they are waiting for me to report on Monday,” he added.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman questioned the motive behind the attempt to arrest him, saying that he had never held any government position for him to be accused of engaging in corruption.

“So, what have I, Wontumi, done? I have never been president before. I have never been a vice president. I have never been on any government board, I have never been a CEO, I have never been a minister, I have never had any government appointment, nor have I worked for the government in any capacity. So, what is happening?

“Is it because I want to become a National Chairman that the NDC wants to frighten me? God is not going to allow this to happen. As we speak, we are still at my home. They are not going to have it easy,” he added.

It is not clear why the security officials were at Wontumi’s home, but the government recently suspended the mining licence of his company, Akonta Mining, accusing it of engaging in illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region.

Chairman Wontumi has refuted the accusation, stating that he is being targeted because of his bid to run for the National Chairmanship position of the NPP.

Listen to his remarks below: