Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has regained his freedom after spending three nights in police custody.
His release followed the fulfillment of bail requirements totaling GH₵25 million in two separate illegal mining cases pending before the High Court in Accra.
Wontumi had earlier been unable to meet the bail conditions on October 7. The Criminal Division of the court had initially granted him GH₵15 million bail with two sureties. A second court subsequently imposed an additional GH₵10 million bail, also with two sureties, one of whom must justify ownership of landed property.
The court further directed him to report weekly to investigators during the first month and barred him from traveling abroad without permission.
The Ashanti Regional chairman is facing multiple charges connected to illegal mining activities, including allegedly engaging in unauthorized mining and facilitating environmental degradation in the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve.
Wontumi, who has denied all accusations, insists he is innocent of any wrongdoing as the case continues to attract national attention amid the government’s broader clampdown on illegal mining.
