The Police have granted the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), GH¢1 million bail with two sureties.
This followed his appearance at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over his alleged involvement in illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).
The Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, had earlier issued a warning in Accra during a Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) engagement with President John Dramani Mahama that Chairman Wontumi should report to the CID on Monday, or he would order his arrest.
Speaking during President Mahama’s engagement with CSOs on galamsey in Accra on Friday, October 3, Dr. Ayine said, “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.”
It will be recalled that the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, announced that investigations into the operations of Akonta Mining, owned by Chairman Wontumi, were ongoing.
The CID boss said one other person had also been arrested in connection with the matter.
Asked about the current state of affairs regarding the investigation into the activities of Akonta Mining during a press conference in Accra on Monday, June 30, she said: “That case is also actively ongoing. Chairman Wontumi has visited us a couple of times; he was actually supposed to be coming back to us sometime this week. Unfortunately, he was ill, and his lawyer submitted a letter to us explaining that he was unwell.
“I believe he is now okay because we have communicated to them that he should be seeing us this week, and they have responded. So the investigations are actively ongoing.”
“I must mention that he is not the only one we have arrested or are investigating; there are a number of people we consider persons of interest. Last week, for instance, he had a partner, one Akuoko, who was part of the investigations on Akonta Mining; he was also arrested here and detained.
Chairman Wontumi first appeared before the CID on Monday, May 26, 2025, over investigations into the operations of his company, Akonta Mining.
He earlier denied reports that he was involved in illegal mining.
After the Forestry Commission was directed to halt the activities of Akonta Mining Limited’s operation, Mr. Boasiako said he was willing to allow due process.
“I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work,” he said on his TV station, Wontumi TV.
Mr. Boasiako also responded to speculation that he is involved in illegal mining, saying, “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,” he added.
