By Ashiadey Dotse
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has pleaded not guilty to four fresh charges, including causing financial loss of over GH¢30 million to the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank).
The plea was taken on Monday, May 18, 2026, before the court, where Chairman Wontumi denied all the charges brought against him. He is facing counts of defrauding by false pretence, uttering forged documents, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
The second accused person, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, is currently on the run and is being sought by investigators. Wontumi Farms Limited, a company linked to the accused persons, is also cited in the case.
Lawyers for Chairman Wontumi, led by Andy Appiah-Kubi, prayed the court to maintain the existing bail conditions. The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, did not oppose the request.
The presiding judge, Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, ruled that the accused should remain on his previous bail terms, which include GH¢15 million granted in the Samreboi case and GH¢10 million in the Tano Nimire Forest case.
The case has been adjourned to June 18, 2026, for a case management conference.
According to the prosecution, Chairman Wontumi applied for a GH¢19 million facility from the Ghana Export-Import Bank in 2018 to undertake a farming project under Wontumi Farms Limited.
Investigators say the application included documents claiming that the company had secured about 100,000 acres of land for the project. However, it is alleged that the company did not own or secure the said land.
The prosecution further claims that although about GH¢14.3 million was disbursed for the project, no farming activities were carried out, no machinery was purchased, and no workers were employed.
It is also alleged that a document presented as proof of purchase for farming equipment was falsified. According to investigators, the document was originally a pro-forma invoice but was altered and presented as a receipt to secure additional funds.
Authorities further allege that large sums of the money were withdrawn and used for personal purposes and other business investments.
Efforts by the bank to recover the funds were unsuccessful, leading to investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in 2025 and subsequent charges in May 2026.
The case continues as authorities pursue the second accused person and prepare for the next stage of proceedings.
