Ken Agyapong asked Wontumi about GH¢30 million Exim Bank saga – Kwarteng
Kwesi Kwarteng, spokesperson for Kennedy Agyapong, a presidential aspirant and former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has revealed that Kennedy once questioned the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, over his involvement in a GH¢30 million Exim Bank loan.
According to Kwarteng, who is also a former Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Ministry of Education, although he does not have Kennedy Agyapong’s permission to disclose the full conversation, he found Chairman Wontumi’s response during their interaction somewhat concerning.
Speaking in a TV interview, excerpts of which have circulated on social media, Kwarteng explained that the conversation took place after Wontumi had been detained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
He recalled that party members had struggled to meet Wontumi’s bail conditions, with Bryan Acheampong and Kennedy Agyapong both stepping in to assist.
“When Chairman Wontumi was detained by EOCO, party functionaries worked hard to meet his bail conditions. I recall Bryan stood surety for him, and Ken also worked tirelessly to do the same.
“When Wontumi was released, he went to thank these high-profile individuals who had supported him. During that interaction, the issue of the Exim Bank loan came up. Although I don’t have Ken’s permission to share all the details, I remember Ken asked him about the matter and Wontumi’s response raised concerns for me,” Kwarteng said.
He added that Wontumi’s explanation about how his farms acquired the funds, reportedly around GH¢30 million and the outcome of the investment was troubling.
“It was a concern for me. I don’t have Ken’s permission to disclose everything but seeing the plea bargain application now, I am not surprised, given the prior knowledge I had,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the criminal trial involving Chairman Wontumi has taken a new turn after he filed for a plea bargain in the Exim Bank fraud case.
A court filing from the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, sighted by GhanaWeb on June 11, 2026, confirmed that Wontumi, through his lawyer Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, wrote to the Attorney General seeking plea negotiations. The request, dated June 5, 2026, was filed under Section 162C (3) of Act 30.
The document, titled “Notification of Commencement of Plea Negotiation”, was signed by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai. It listed the accused persons as Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (1st accused), Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, who is at large (2nd accused), and Wontumi Farms Limited (3rd accused).
The matter is before the High Court of Justice in Accra under docket number CR/0529/2026.
Attorney General Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine had earlier revealed, in December 2025, that investigations into the Wontumi Farms loan arrangement showed that Chairman Wontumi failed to purchase any equipment required under the terms of the facility, despite funds being disbursed.
The agreement stipulated that all equipment purchased with the loan be registered jointly in the names of Exim Bank and Wontumi Farms Limited. However, investigators found that no equipment was acquired, and receipts submitted were forged.
“In the face of the evidence gathered by EOCO, we have decided to prosecute Wontumi Farms and its directors for defrauding by false pretenses, forgery, and causing financial loss to the state in the sum of GHC24,255,735. This figure represents the principal sum plus accrued interest,” Dr Ayine stated.
He added that although Wontumi claimed to have purchased “secondhand brand new” equipment and submitted receipts to Exim Bank, the bank denied receiving any valid documentation. The only documents provided were identified as forged receipts.
Source: Ghanaweb
