Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, has requested a plea negotiation with the Attorney-General for his ongoing criminal trial. This trial involves an alleged GHS 14.3 million loan fraud related to the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank). The Deputy Attorney-General formally notified the Accra High Court of this development on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Wontumi's legal counsel, Mr. Andy Appiah-Kubi, initiated the request for plea negotiations on June 5, 2026. These negotiations fall under Section 162C(3) of Act 30, which outlines the rules for such procedures in Ghana's legal system. The charges against Wontumi, his brother Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, and Wontumi Farms Limited include defrauding by false pretence, authoring a forged document, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public institution.
This case is significant within Ghana's broader fight against financial misconduct and corruption. Public funds are at stake, impacting the resources available for national development and economic stability. Ghana has intensified efforts to combat financial irregularities, especially those involving state-owned institutions like Exim Bank. This move signals a potential resolution or a new phase in high-profile cases involving influential figures.
According to the court document, Chairman Wontumi and his co-accused allegedly secured GHS 14.3 million from Exim Bank in 2018. They claimed these funds were for establishing a large-scale farming project. The prosecution alleges that Wontumi Farms Limited presented false documents. One such document, a board resolution letter dated January 23, 2018, referred to a resolution supposedly made on December 9, 2017. This date was four days before the company's official incorporation on December 14, 2017.
Prosecutors claim that despite the GHS 14.3 million disbursement, no farming activities took place. They also allege that no machinery was purchased and no workers were employed. Furthermore, a document presented as proof of purchasing farming equipment was reportedly falsified. The prosecution asserts that this transaction intentionally caused a financial loss exceeding GHS 30 million to Exim Bank. They claim substantial portions of the money were diverted for personal use and unrelated business investments.
Chairman Wontumi pleaded not guilty to all four charges on May 18, 2026. The Accra High Court postponed the matter until June 18, 2026, for a Case Management Conference. This plea negotiation request could significantly alter the trial's trajectory. It might lead to a consensual outcome, avoiding a lengthy judicial process.
The Attorney-General's office has not released any public statements beyond the court notification. The outcome of these negotiations will be closely watched by legal experts, politicians, and the general public. It could influence perceptions of accountability and the rule of law in Ghana.
Further developments in the Exim Bank case are expected to unfold as the legal proceedings continue. Another active criminal matter for Wontumi involves alleged illegal mining activities. He faces charges alongside Akonta Mining Limited and director Kwame Antwi. Judgment for that case is scheduled for July 3, 2026. These parallel legal battles highlight ongoing scrutiny of financial and environmental compliance among prominent individuals and entities in Ghana.