A claim circulating on social media that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted GH¢15 million bail is misleading. The amount matches a bail decision reported in October 2025, not confirmation that he has been released from prison following his 2026 conviction.
Recent reports dated October 15, 2026, indicate that the Accra High Court is considering Wontumi’s application for bail pending appeal against his 20-year prison sentence for illegal mining-related offences. A report published on October 15 says the court is expected to rule on the application on November 4. The available reports do not confirm that the new application has been granted.
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Where Did the GH¢15 Million Figure Come From?
On October 7, 2025, the Accra High Court granted Wontumi GH¢15 million bail in a case involving alleged breaches of mining laws, including facilitating unlicensed mining operations and assigning mineral rights without approval. The court imposed conditions that included three sureties, two of whom were required to justify their sureties with landed property.
Other conditions included surrendering his passport to the court registry, being placed on a stop list at the country’s entry and exit points, and reporting to the case investigator twice monthly. That decision concerned proceedings in 2025 and should not be mistaken for a new bail order in the appeal proceedings following his 2026 conviction.
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Why the New Application Is Different
Wontumi was convicted in July 2026 and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour over illegal mining-related offences linked to a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region. He is challenging the conviction and sentence and has applied to be released on bail while his appeal is determined.
Bail pending appeal is a separate legal request from the bail granted in the earlier proceedings. The court must consider the current application before any new order can be reported as fact. The Attorney-General has opposed the application, citing concerns that Wontumi could be a flight risk.
As of the latest reports available to Ghana Media, the claim that a fresh GH¢15 million bail order has been granted is not substantiated. Readers should be cautious about posts using old court footage or images to suggest that a new decision has been made.
Ghana Media will update this report if a court order or reliable report confirms the outcome of the current application. Read more on GhanaMedia.net. For continuing coverage, visit Ghana News, Ghana News Live, and Top Stories.
