The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has formally sought a plea deal in his ongoing criminal trial over an alleged GH¢14.3 million loan fraud involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank).
The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, on June 11, 2026, filed a Notification of Commencement of Plea Negotiation at the Accra High Court under Docket No. CR/0529/2026. The filing followed a June 5 request by Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, asking the Attorney-General to begin plea discussions under Section 162C(3) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).
Wontumi is standing trial alongside Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, who is currently at large, and Wontumi Farms Limited. The three face four charges: defrauding by false pretence, authoring a forged document, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public institution.
Prosecutors allege that in 2018, the accused secured about GH¢14.3 million from Exim Bank after applying for a GH¢19 million facility to finance a large-scale farming project. The prosecution claims the company presented documents indicating it had secured 100,000 acres of land for the venture.
However, investigators contend that a board resolution submitted in support of the application was backdated, referring to a resolution allegedly passed days before the company was officially incorporated. The prosecution further alleges that despite the disbursement of funds, no farming activities were undertaken, no equipment was purchased, and no workers were employed. A document purportedly showing the purchase of machinery is also alleged to have been falsified.
In addition, the accused are alleged to have caused financial loss exceeding GH¢30 million to Exim Bank, with significant portions of the funds reportedly diverted to personal use and unrelated investments.
Wontumi has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case has been adjourned to June 18, 2026, for a Case Management Conference.
He is also facing a separate trial alongside Akonta Mining Limited and its director, Kwame Antwi, over alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi. Judgment in that matter is scheduled for July 3, 2026.