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Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has dismissed accusations connecting him to illegal mining activities, locally referred to as galamsey.
Following his appearance before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Chairman Wontumi clarified that he had submitted his valid mining licence to law enforcement to confirm that his mining operations are within the law.
“I was invited over claims of engaging in galamsey. I showed them my mining licence to make it clear that my operations are legal. They also alleged that I was operating in a forest reserve, which I denied. If they have any evidence, they should bring it forward,” he said.
He acknowledged that he had once applied to mine in a forested area but was later informed by the Forestry Commission, Lands Commission, and Minerals Commission that the land in question was protected. “If any activity is currently going on there, I have no knowledge of it,” he said.
Chairman Wontumi also refuted reports alleging that he received GHS50 million from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) during the final days of President Akufo-Addo’s administration.
The claim suggests that Hallmark Engineering, a company linked to him, was paid despite a directive from then-incoming Chief of Staff Julius Debrah to freeze contract payments during the political transition. Wontumi denied any involvement in such transactions.
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