The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted bail with two sureties following his appearance before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra on Monday.
His bail follows a failed attempt by a joint National Security and police team to arrest him at his residence on May 23, an incident that sparked public outcry and saw NPP supporters massing up at his home in a show of solidarity.
Speaking after securing bail, Chairman Wontumi confirmed that he had been charged with alleged involvement in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
However, he firmly denied any wrongdoing. "I was invited by the police and charged with being involved in galamsey," he stated. "I presented my license to them to prove that I do not engage in illegal mining.
