By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice of Ghana, Hon. Dr.Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has signaled a rigorous start to the 2026 legal year by moving to prosecute two prominent political figures. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) known as Chairman Wontumi, faces charges over an alleged GH¢24.2 million fraud involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank). Simultaneously, Percival Kofi Akpaloo, leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), is set to be charged for the alleged diversion of GH¢3,169,432.22 in COCOBOD funds.
The prosecutions are part of the government’s “Operation Recover All Loot” (ORAL) initiative, designed to restore public confidence in state institutions. Dr. Ayine confirmed that formal charges will be filed immediately following the Christmas break, marking a decisive step in the administration’s drive for uncompromising accountability.
Profile: Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi)
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as “Chairman Wontumi,” remains a formidable force in Ghanaian politics and business. As the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, he served as a kingpin for the then-ruling party, wielding significant influence over the party’s electoral stronghold. Beyond politics, he is a wealthy businessman with interests in mining and agriculture, notably through Wontumi Farms Limited. His transition from a political power broker to a criminal suspect intensified in late 2025 following investigations into his business dealings with state financial institutions.
Profile: Percival Kofi Akpaloo
Percival Kofi Akpaloo is a high-profile political figure who rose to national prominence as the founder and leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG). A presidential hopeful in the 2020 and 2024 elections, Akpaloo has often positioned himself as a business-centric alternative to the traditional political establishment. Professionally, he is an accountant and businessman, but his political aspirations now face a severe setback as the state alleges his business activities involved fraudulent schemes that directly intercepted funds meant for critical road infrastructure.
The Galamsey Shadow and Legal Entanglements
This fraud case adds to a growing list of legal troubles for Chairman Wontumi. He is currently facing separate criminal charges related to illegal mining (galamsey) in the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve. Recently, he was placed on a travel ban and faced a GH¢25 million bail condition which he reportedly struggled to meet. The Attorney-General noted that while the fraud case is distinct, it reflects a broader pattern of “criminality by a person who was a regional chairman of the then-ruling party.”
Charges Against Wontumi: A Case of Systematic Deception
The state has constructed a detailed prosecutorial framework against Bernard Antwi Boasiako, focusing on the alleged manipulation of state banking systems. The primary charge of defrauding by false pretences stems from accusations that he misled Exim Bank to secure a GH¢4 million loan facility under the guise of legitimate agricultural expansion. Central to the state’s evidence is a charge of forgery, where investigators claim a proforma invoice from Casama Enterprise was deliberately altered to appear as a “receipt” to satisfy strict loan disbursement conditions. Consequently, these actions underpin the more severe charge of willfully causing financial loss to the state, with the total misappropriated sum, including accrued interest, now valued at a staggering GH¢24,225,735.
Charges Against Akpaloo: The COCOBOD Diversion Scheme
The legal offensive against Percival Kofi Akpaloo, his wife Delvin, and their associated company involves allegations of a sophisticated diversion of agricultural funds. The state intends to pursue a charge of stealing, alleging that the group intercepted GH¢3.1 million intended for a legitimate COCOBOD contractor. This was reportedly facilitated through forgery, specifically the falsification of the signature of the actual contractor, Akua Pomaa, using her former name, Mercy Owusu. These funds were then allegedly funneled through the secretly incorporated “Pomaaah Ghana Limited,” forming the basis for a money laundering charge involving the processing of illicitly obtained proceeds.
National Reactions: A Divided Public Sentiment
The public mood in Ghana has become deeply polarized as the state moves against these high-profile figures. Many citizens view the prosecution as a long-overdue victory for the rule of law. Expressing this sense of justice, Asibi Ibrahim Adam, a petty trader in Bawku, shared her perspective on the necessity of accountability.
“If they have stolen our cocoa money and bank funds, let them go to jail. No one is above the law in this new Ghana,” Adam said.
In contrast, the moves have sparked intense criticism among opposition supporters who view the timing as suspicious. NPP Party activist Kofi Addaquay voiced the concerns of many who suspect a hidden political agenda behind the Attorney General’s actions.
“This is just political cherry-picking to weaken the NPP before the next elections,” Addaquay said. “It is a targeted attempt to dismantle our leadership.”
Amidst these clashing views, a significant portion of the populace remains neutral on the politics but firm on the results. Dr. Kojo Boateng, a retired civil servant, captured this pragmatic desire for fiscal restitution over political theater.
“I don’t care about their parties; I just want the money back,” Boateng said. “If they are guilty, jail them. If not, the state should stop wasting our time and resources.”
Sentencing and the 2026 Calendar
Legal analyst Justice Abdulai suggests the state’s rejection of a GH¢38 million plea bargain from Wontumi’s camp indicates that the Attorney-General is prioritizing criminal convictions over simple debt recovery. This strategy is seen as a national deterrent to signal that political influence no longer offers a shield against prosecution.
If convicted, both men face severe penalties under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). Defrauding by false pretenses is a second-degree felony, carrying a prison sentence of up to 25 years. Forgery typically attracts up to 10 years, while money laundering charges can result in 10 to 20 years of imprisonment. With formal plea-taking expected in early January 2026, these trials will serve as a definitive litmus test for the independence of the Ghanaian judiciary.
A Turning Point for Accountability
As the legal battle lines are drawn, these cases represent more than just a search for missing millions; they are a trial of Ghana’s institutional integrity. Whether these prosecutions result in convictions or are dismissed as political theater, the proceedings will set a lasting precedent for how the state handles high-level financial misconduct. For a public weary of fiscal scandal, the transparency and fairness of these trials will ultimately determine if “Operation Recover All Loot” is a genuine reform or a recurring political cycle.
