The Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, has officially confirmed that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, is under active investigation for a series of grave criminal offences, including fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Justice Srem-Sai disclosed that the investigation is being led by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with asset recovery efforts already underway to preserve suspected proceeds of crime.
“Suspect Bernard Antwi Boasiako, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, is under investigation for various criminal offences (including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering),” the Deputy Attorney General stated.
He further revealed that law enforcement authorities have begun asset recovery proceedings in tandem with the criminal probe “to prevent further dissipation of what law enforcement agencies strongly suspect to be proceeds of crime.”
But perhaps more significantly, Justice Srem-Sai indicated that Wontumi is also at the centre of a second, more complex investigation connected to what he described as an “international organised crime scheme.” EOCO, he said, is working closely with global partners to uncover the broader network.
“The suspect is also under a second strand of investigation which is part of a larger international organised crime scheme,” he noted. “EOCO is assiduously working with our international law enforcement partners on this second strand.”
Chairman Wontumi is a high-profile figure within Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), serving as its Ashanti Regional Chairman. His outspoken style and commanding presence have made him one of the most recognisable faces of the party, especially during election campaigns.
The timing of the announcement has drawn strong reactions, particularly from the NPP’s parliamentary minority, who allege political persecution. They have accused President John Mahama’s administration of using state institutions to target political opponents.
As of now, EOCO has not released a formal statement, and Chairman Wontumi has not responded publicly to the allegations.
