Watch the state of the $45m COCOBOD road awarded to Wontumi in 2020

A video has emerged showing the state of a $45 million road project. This project was awarded to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi. He is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

A leaked document revealed that the Ghana Cocoa Board paid Hallmark Civil Engineering Limited $45 million. This company is linked to Chairman Wontumi. The payment was for constructing the Dadieso-Akontombra Road in the Western North Region.

Reports indicate that Wontumi's company did not complete the road after receiving funds. Hallmark Civil Engineering Limited was registered in 2018 for construction projects. However, it received this large contract without proof of capability.

A viral video from Ghana Chronicles shows the dusty road that remains unfinished. Wontumi received $45 million in November 2020 but has done little work since then.

Chairman Wontumi denies these allegations, calling them untrue. After being granted bail on another case, he spoke to the media on May 26. He stated, “It is absolutely untrue that I collected money from COCOBOD.”

He explained that contractors use their own funds during construction. The government reimburses them only after project completion and assessment by engineers.

Wontumi claimed COCOBOD took nearly three years to pay him after completion. “So COCOBOD cannot claim they do not owe me,” he added.

The Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, announced an investigation into Wontumi for fraud and financial loss to the state. He is also under investigation for money laundering and international organized crime.

Justice Srem-Sai noted that EOCO is working with international law enforcement on these investigations. The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) is handling asset recovery efforts related to suspected proceeds of crime.

Watch the video below:

After taking $45 million in 2020, this is how the road looks now: https://t.co/aRqybf5wpy
— Ghana Chronicles (@_GhChronicles) May 29, 2025