The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has indicated that investigators have uncovered evidence that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, falsified documents to support a GH₵4 million equipment purchase under a Ghana Exim Bank loan.
During a press briefing in Accra on 22 December, Dr Ayine explained that Wontumi Farms Limited presented a document to the bank claiming it was proof that farming and earth-moving machinery had been bought from Kas-Sama Enterprise.
According to him, inquiries by the Economic and Organised Crime Office later revealed that the document was not a receipt as claimed. It was originally an invoice that had been altered to give the impression that payment had already been made.
“Chairman Wontumi obtained an invoice with a promise to return and purchase the equipment but never did,” the Attorney-General revealed. “Instead, he forged the invoice by removing the word ‘invoice’ and replacing it with ‘receipt’.”
Dr Ayine said the proprietor of Kas-Sama Enterprise confirmed that no payment was ever received for the equipment. He noted that the document still carried conditions such as “50 days to supply,” a clear indication it was a proforma invoice rather than confirmation of payment.
Based on these findings, the Attorney-General announced that the state will pursue criminal charges against Wontumi Farms Limited and its directors. The charges include defrauding Ghana Exim Bank, forgery, and causing financial loss to the state, with losses estimated at more than GH₵24 million.
“These are not mere breaches of a contract,” he stated. “They constitute acts of criminality by no means a person other than the regional chairman of the then ruling party.”
Dr Ayine said the decision follows what he described as a comprehensive EOCO investigation that produced sufficient evidence against the company and its leadership.
“In the circumstances, and in the face of the evidence we have gathered in this investigation, we have made the decision to prosecute Wontumi Farms and its directors for defrauding by false pretences, forgery, and causing financial loss to the state,” Dr Ayine said.
He added that the total amount involved stands at GH₵24,225,735, covering the original loan facility and the interest that has accrued on it.
