Legal expert and former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has weighed in on the GH¢50 million bail condition imposed on NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, stating that the amount is not excessive given his public displays of wealth.
Speaking on TV3 Ghana on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Dr. Ansa-Asare emphasised that Wontumi’s financial capacity and lifestyle, including his open exhibition of gold bars and assets, support the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO)’s decision.
“Fifty million is not expensive to a person like Chairman Wontumi, who at one time used to brandish gold bars to indicate his wealth in society. I don’t think GH¢50 million bail bond should be expensive for someone who owns Akonta Mining.
So, I disagree with those who are saying that it’s expensive and a violation of Chairman Wontumi’s fundamental human rights,” he stated.
Dr. Ansa-Asare further dismissed claims, particularly from within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), that the bail conditions infringe upon Wontumi’s rights.
He underscored that the businessman’s own actions, such as showcasing gold on television, validate the court’s decision.
Wontumi flaunted gold bars on TV
In 2020, during a broadcast on his Kumasi-based Wontumi radio, the mining magnate and politician pulled gold bars from a waist pouch live on air, boasting of his wealth.
He revealed that he owns a $200,000 gold chain named “Wontumi”, a $120,000 luxury wristwatch made of gold and diamonds, and over 100 houses in the Ashanti Region.
Despite his opulence and dominance in the Ghana mining industry, Chairman Wontumi denied involvement in illegal mining (galamsey), stating, “It is not galamsey. I have worked in the mining sector before. I had a large-scale mining organisation,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin criticises bail
Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticised the GH¢50 million bail, describing it as excessive and politically motivated. Speaking on the floor of Parliament on the same day, he called on EOCO to immediately revoke the bail condition, arguing it serves as punishment rather than justice.
Chairman Wontumi flaunts gold on TV@EOCOghana pic.twitter.com/UPyFsUjDoE
— 𝓚𝓸𝓳𝓸 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼𝓖𝓗 (@KojoNewsgh) May 30, 2025
