Bernard Antwi Bosiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been granted bail, the amount of which remains undisclosed, after being charged with mining without the necessary authorisation.

Wontumi voluntarily presented himself at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Monday, 26 May 2025, following an unsuccessful attempt by authorities to apprehend him on Friday, 22 May 2025. He was accompanied by his legal team, including former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame and ex-Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi.

After his questioning by police, Wontumi addressed the media, asserting that allegations concerning his involvement in illegal mining, or ‘galamsey’, were unfounded. He firmly stated, “I am not engaged in illegal mining,” and provided his mining licence as evidence of his legitimate operations.

“I came to show them my licence to prove that I am not into galamsey. They also claimed that I have been engaging in mining in the forest, but I refuted that claim and challenged them to provide evidence. They granted me bail with two sureties,” he explained.

The charges against Chairman Wontumi stem from accusations of unauthorised mining activities. His appearance at the CID followed a dramatic incident on Friday, 23 May, when a joint team of National Security operatives and police officers made a widely publicised, yet unsuccessful, effort to arrest him at his residence. This event garnered significant public attention, particularly due to online footage showing heavily armed personnel surrounding his home, with supporters alleging that the action was an attempt at politically motivated intimidation.

Details regarding the nature of the investigation remain vague, as the Ghana Police Service has yet to release an official statement clarifying the specifics of the inquiry.