Former New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and Wontumi Farms have filed a civil claim with the High Court seeking a declaration that a loan dispute with Ghana Exim Bank should be treated as a civil matter rather than a criminal case. The plaintiffs have sued the bank, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Attorney General over criminal proceedings that allege defrauding by false pretences, forging documents, money laundering and intentionally causing financial loss to the state. In their statement of claim, filed through lawyer Samuel Atta‑Akyea, they argue that the dispute stems from an over‑GH¢18 million loan granted to finance a farming project and should be resolved through civil proceedings. They accuse EOCO of exceeding its mandate by acting as a debt recovery agency and contend that the bank should pursue any outstanding obligations through contractual remedies. The claim details that a 10,000‑acre parcel of land belonging to Wontumi Farms was used as collateral for the facility, while Chairman Wontumi personally guaranteed repayment in the event of a default. The plaintiffs also assert that Ghana Exim Bank agreed to secure insurance coverage for the loan. They attribute the project’s financial difficulties to flooding, stating that four rivers surrounding the farmland overflowed and caused extensive damage. The plaintiffs say the bank was informed of the losses and allegedly assured them that the insurance arrangement would be activated to address the outstanding debt. They deny any fraudulent conduct or criminal activity, maintaining that the matter concerns the recovery of a debt arising from a contractual arrangement. Among the reliefs sought are a declaration that the dispute is civil in nature, an order directing Ghana Exim Bank to provide a detailed account of the outstanding loan balance and a directive for the bank to pursue recovery through the mortgage, Chairman Wontumi’s personal guarantee or the insurance coverage allegedly arranged for the facility.
The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the dispute between Wontumi Farms and Ghana Exim Bank, as the former seeks to avoid criminal prosecution and focus on contractual remedies. The outcome of the case could set a precedent for how loan disputes involving state banks and political figures are handled in Ghana.
