Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has pleaded not guilty to an amended charge of uttering a forged document in the criminal case involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank).
The amended charge sheet, dated September 19, 2026, identifies the document at the centre of the allegation as a pro-forma invoice purportedly issued by EPSONS GHANA LIMITED.
According to the charge sheet, Mr Antwi-Boasiako allegedly used the document in 2017 in the Greater Accra Region, knowing it was not genuine, with the intention of defrauding Exim Bank officials and obtaining GH¢4 million from the bank.
The amendment retains the charge under Section 169 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), requiring the accused persons to enter fresh pleas.
When the case was called on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Wontumi’s lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, maintained that the dispute should be treated as a civil matter involving loan repayment rather than a criminal offence.
The legal position forms part of a separate suit filed by Mr Antwi-Boasiako and Wontumi Farms at the High Court, seeking a declaration that the disagreement over the loan facility is civil in nature and should not be pursued through criminal prosecution.
The suit names Exim Bank, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Attorney-General as defendants.
The plaintiffs argue that the loan facility, valued at more than GH¢18 million, was obtained to finance a farming project. They contend that Wontumi Farms provided a 10,000-acre parcel of land as mortgage security, while Mr Antwi-Boasiako personally guaranteed repayment in the event of default.
They also claim that Exim Bank undertook to arrange insurance coverage for the facility.
According to the plaintiffs, the farming operation subsequently suffered substantial losses, including damage caused by flooding from four rivers surrounding the property.
They allege that the bank was informed of the challenges and promised to take steps to activate an insurance package to settle the outstanding loan.
The plaintiffs further accuse EOCO of exceeding its mandate by acting as a debt collector instead of treating the disagreement as a civil loan recovery matter.
However, the criminal proceedings against Mr Antwi-Boasiako involve allegations including defrauding by false pretences, uttering a forged document, money laundering and intentionally causing financial loss to the state.
Mr Atta Akyea maintains that the disagreement should be resolved through civil proceedings, rather than criminal prosecution.
The allegations remain subject to determination by the courts, and Wontumi’s not-guilty plea means the charge has not been established against him.
