Mahama’s sanction on me harsher than sanctions placed on Russia – Wontumi

Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He claims that President John Mahama's sanctions against him are harsher than those imposed on Russia by the European Union.

Wontumi stated that Mahama has frozen his bank account. He questioned how he is expected to survive or eat under these conditions. On May 23, 2025, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and Ghana Police Service attempted to arrest him at his home.

Reports indicate that around 20 heavily armed officers arrived in five vehicles at about 9:00 a.m. After the attempted arrest, Wontumi spoke on Asempa FM. He expressed concern over his frozen accounts and said he has no access to funds.

He mentioned plans to visit the police headquarters because he received a letter from them. However, he has not received any communication from the NIB. Recently, it was reported that the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) froze all of Wontumi’s accounts.

The FIC acted according to Section 56(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020. The freezing order includes Wontumi himself and two companies: Akonta Mining and Hallmark Civil Engineering Limited.

Chairman Wontumi's account was frozen due to alleged financial misconduct involving GH¢11 million cash withdrawal and GH¢39 million in securities transfer. According to Ghana Chronicles, he withdrew GH¢11 million in cash and bought government securities worth GH¢39 million for Paradise Insurance Company.

Additionally, Hallmark Civil Engineering received GH¢50,871,8