Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party, NPP and owner of Akonta Mining Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi is crying out over difficulties he is facing as a result of the freezing of his accounts by the Financial Intelligence Centre, FIC.
The FIC wrote to banks ordering the freezing the accounts of Akonta Mining and its founder, Mr Boasiako, under Section 56(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044), which authorises the FIC to restrict access to accounts where there is reasonable suspicion of illicit financial activity. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah had also directed the Minerals Commission to revoke the license of Akonta Mining for allegedly mining illegally in Forest Reserves.
In a recent media interview Mr. Boasiako called on members of the NPP to jump to his defence arguing he is being targeted as a result of party activities he’s engaged in and not because he held any official position under the Nana Addo administration. He revealed the freezing of his bank accounts has left him without money to the point of inability to pay hi children’s school fees.
“All my accounts have been frozen, and I’m unable to even pay my children’s school fees”
National security officials today stormed Wontumi’s residence in Kumasi ostensibly with a search warrant. The operatives however had to abort their mission after the regional chairman refused to cooperate. The development led to party stalwarts including Members of Parliament thronging the place to offer support.
