Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi has been granted bail after appearing before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for questioning over allegations of illegal mining and the degradation of forest reserves.
Chairman Wontumi was accompanied by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame and former Asante-Akim North MP Andy Appiah-Kubi as he honored an invitation extended to him by the Ghana Police Service.
Following the proceedings, Wontumi stated that he has not been involved in illegal mining activities but rather operates a legally licensed mining business. “I was charged by the police with involvement in galamsey, and I produced a license which is a lease to prove that I do not practice illegal mining,” he said.
Addressing the forest degradation claims, he explained that he had applied for land through the Lands Commission and the Minerals Commission, but the requested parcel was under the jurisdiction of the Forestry Commission and was therefore not allocated to him.
“I recall applying for a license for that area, but it was denied me because it was under the Forestry Commission. I have not stepped foot in any forest to work there. If they have evidence, they can bring it out to prove that I am involved in such a thing,” he said, firmly denying the allegations of damaging forest reserves.
Chairman Wontumi has since been granted bail with an undisclosed amount and two sureties, following his questioning by the CID.
Get all latest updates on the1957news.com
See video below: