Chairman Wontumi has been granted bail

Benard Antwi Biasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi,the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Partriotic Party (NPP) has been given bail with two sureties following his appearance before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra on Monday.

This came just days after a failed attempt by a joint National Security and police team to arrest him at his residence on Friday, May 23.This was a move that arose public outrage and saw dozens of NPP supporters gather in protest outside his home.

Chairman Wontumi confirmed that he was charged with alleged involvement in illegal mining (galamsey). However, he categorically denied any wrongdoing.“I was invited by the police and charged with being involved in galamsey,” he said. “I presented my license to them to prove that I do not engage in illegal mining. They also claimed I was working in the forest, but I told them it wasn’t me. If they have any evidence, they should show it to me.”wontumi said.

He further stated that although he once applied for a license to operate in a forest area, the Forestry Commission, Lands Commission, and Minerals Commission had informed him the land had been reserved for protection. “If anyone is working there now, I am not aware of it,” he added.If you are constructing a road, the government doesn’t give you money upfront—you use your own money,” he explained

“The Ghana Highways Authority and COCOBOD engineers later assess the road and pay you based on agreed rates. My contract stated I should be paid within 28 days, but it took nearly three years. So COCOBOD can not claim they don’t owe me.”he addressed.

Beyond the galamsey allegations, Wontumi also addressed claims regarding financial dealings with the Ghana Cocoa Board, stating that suggestions he had improperly collected funds were “absolutely untrue.”