Kwesi Kwarteng, spokesperson for former Assin Central Member of Parliament and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Kennedy Agyapong, has disclosed that Kennedy Agyapong once questioned Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, about a controversial Exim Bank loan reportedly worth about GH¢30 million.
According to Kwarteng, although he does not have Kennedy Agyapong’s permission to reveal the full details of the conversation, Wontumi’s explanation regarding the loan left him with serious concerns.
Speaking in a television interview, excerpts of which have circulated on social media, Kwarteng said the conversation took place shortly after Chairman Wontumi was released from detention by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
He recalled that several leading members of the NPP worked to secure Wontumi’s release after his detention, with individuals such as Bryan Acheampong and Kennedy Agyapong playing significant roles in meeting the bail conditions.
“When Chairman Wontumi was detained by EOCO, party functionaries worked hard to meet his bail conditions. I recall Bryan stood surety for him, and Ken also worked tirelessly to do the same.
“When Wontumi was released, he went to thank these high-profile individuals who had supported him. During that interaction, the issue of the Exim Bank loan came up. Although I don’t have Ken’s permission to share all the details, I remember Ken asked him about the matter and Wontumi’s response raised concerns for me,” Kwarteng stated.
He noted that the explanation given by Chairman Wontumi regarding how the funds were obtained and utilised by Wontumi Farms was troubling.
“It was a concern for me. I don’t have Ken’s permission to disclose everything but seeing the plea bargain application now, I am not surprised, given the prior knowledge I had,” he added.
His comments come amid a new development in the ongoing criminal case involving Chairman Wontumi after he formally applied for plea negotiations in relation to the Exim Bank fraud trial.
A court filing by the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, dated June 11, 2026, confirmed that Wontumi, through his lawyer, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, requested the commencement of plea negotiations under Section 162C(3) of Act 30.
The filing, signed by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, listed Bernard Antwi-Boasiako as the first accused person, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, who is reportedly at large, as the second accused person, and Wontumi Farms Limited as the third accused person.
The case is currently before the High Court in Accra under docket number CR/0529/2026.
Attorney General Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine previously disclosed that investigations conducted by EOCO found that Wontumi Farms failed to acquire equipment that was supposed to be purchased under the terms of the Exim Bank facility.
According to the Attorney General, the loan agreement required that all equipment purchased with the funds be jointly registered in the names of Exim Bank and Wontumi Farms Limited. However, investigators reportedly found no evidence that the equipment was ever purchased.
Dr Ayine further alleged that receipts submitted in support of the purchases were forged.
“In the face of the evidence gathered by EOCO, we have decided to prosecute Wontumi Farms and its directors for defrauding by false pretenses, forgery, and causing financial loss to the state in the sum of GH¢24,255,735. This figure represents the principal amount plus accrued interest,” he stated.
The Attorney General also indicated that while Chairman Wontumi claimed to have purchased what he described as “secondhand brand new” equipment, Exim Bank denied receiving any legitimate documents to support those purchases, with investigators identifying the receipts submitted as forged documents.
