Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi has been granted bail of an undisclosed amount with two sureties.
Chairman Wontumi voluntarily reported to the police CID headquarters on Monday, May 26, 2025 after a failed attempt to arrest him on Friday, May 22, 2025.
He arrived in the company of his legal counsel, former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, and former Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi.
Speaking to journalists after he has been questioned by the police, Chairman Wontumi said upon interrogations, issues of his alleged involvement in galamsey came up which he refuted, stating emphatically that he is not engaged in illegal mining.
He noted that he provided his license as proof of engaging in authorized mining activity.
“I came to show them my license to prove that I am not into galamsey. They also claimed that I have been engaging in mining in forest but I refuted that claim and challenged them to provide evidence.
“They granted me bail with two sureties,” he said.
Chairman Wontumi was charged with mining without authorization.
Wontumi’s appearance before the CID follows a dramatic turn of events last Friday, May 23, when a combined team of National Security operatives and police officers made a widely publicized, albeit failed, attempt to arrest him at his residence.
The incident sparked considerable public interest, fueled by online videos that depicted heavily armed personnel surrounding his home, with supporters alleging a politically motivated intimidation effort.
The specifics of the questioning remain unclear, as the Ghana Police Service has yet to issue an official statement on the nature of the probe.
