Bernard Antwi Boasiako, a prominent regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party and widely known as “Chairman Wontumi,” reported to police investigators Monday amid a widening probe into alleged illegal mining activities tied to a company linked to him.
Mr. Boasiako arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time, following a directive from Ghana’s Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine. Authorities had warned the party official last week that failure to appear would result in his arrest, as formal charges had already been approved.
The investigation centers on Akonta Mining Ltd., a mining firm associated with Mr. Boasiako. The company is accused of operating without proper authorization in forest reserves, in potential violation of Ghana’s mining and environmental regulations.
Attorney General Ayine said progress on the case had been impeded under the prior administration, alleging that key case files were deliberately withheld, delaying prosecutorial action.
The case has become a flashpoint in Ghana’s broader efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, which has drawn widespread public concern over environmental degradation and regulatory failures.
