Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has described Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as the key figure behind the ongoing illegal mining.
In a discussion on Prime Insight on Joy Prime on October 4, 2025, Elikem Kotoko claimed that Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), saw himself as the kingpin of galamsey when his political party was in power.
He emphasised that Chairman Wontumi saw himself as so powerful that no one could engage in illegal mining (galamsey) in the country’s forestry reserve without his approval.
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“Who didn’t know that if you want to make mention of names, he was one of the number one people who probably was perceived to be leading people into the forest, into the places, because he saw himself as the greatest galamsey kingpin, and nobody comes through the mine except through Wontumi,” he said.
Elikem Kotoko also recounted an incident where Chairman Wontumi personally called him for a sit-down discussion.
According to Elikem, he still can’t fathom why the NPP Ashanti Regional chairman would call him, since they are not close associates.
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“I’m still wondering why Chairman Wontumi called me one day after the Samreboi incidents…when he called, he was like, Elikem, this is Chairman Wontumi. Your boss is my friend, and when are you coming to Kumasi so we can sit and talk? I never said this anywhere, but I have decided to,” he added.
Watch the video below:
@joyprimetv_ “I’m still wondering why Chairman Wontumi reached out to me after the Samreboi incident,” Elikem Kotoko alleges. #primeinsight
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