How Wontumi pressured Exim Bank to release funds for non-existent farm workers

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has stated that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, allegedly pressured Ghana Exim Bank to release money meant for farm workers who investigations later showed did not exist.

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on December 22, 2025, the Attorney General said Wontumi Farms Limited was supposed to submit a list of farm workers so salaries could be paid electronically under the Mining Alternative Livelihoods Initiative introduced by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government.

He explained that Ghana Exim Bank hired Eban Capital Limited to develop a biometric payment system for workers expected to be employed on a maize farm at Asare Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region.

Dr Ayine revealed that Wontumi Farms failed to submit the required database because “there were no farmers working on the land.” Despite this, Chairman Wontumi allegedly demanded that GH¢400,000 meant for salaries be paid directly to the company in cash.

“He claimed the youth involved in illegal mining were not used to electronic payment systems and preferred cash,” the Attorney General said.

The Attorney General added that investigations later confirmed there was no farming activity and no workers were employed, indicating that the loan was obtained under false pretences.

Dr Ayine said the government will prosecute Wontumi Farms and its directors for allegedly defrauding Exim Bank, forgery, and causing financial loss to the state of more than GH¢24 million.

He also disclosed that investigations showed Wontumi Farms obtained a GH¢4 million loan from Exim Bank using forged documents…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>