The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi has been granted bail of GHC 1 million in connection with a galamsey-related case involving his company, Akonta Mining.
Wontumi appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra on Monday, October 6, 2025, after being directed by the Attorney-General to report for his charges to be read. Failure to report, the Attorney-General had warned, would result in his arrest.
Investigations into Akonta Mining, which Wontumi owns, began earlier this year following allegations that the company was engaged in illegal small-scale mining activities. The CID confirmed that other individuals linked to the case have also been arrested as part of the probe.
Chairman Wontumi first appeared before the CID on May 26, 2025, and has since visited the department multiple times. His legal team previously informed authorities that he was ill, delaying further proceedings.
Throughout the process, Wontumi has consistently denied any involvement in illegal mining, asserting that his operations are fully licensed and lawful. He has challenged authorities to prosecute him if any wrongdoing is proven, describing himself as willing to allow due process to take its course.
The granting of bail now allows Wontumi to await the continuation of the legal process outside detention, but the matter remains under active investigation.
