Chairman Wontumi submitted fake receipt to secure EXIM Bank loan – Attorney General discloses

Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine has revealed that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi reportedly submitted a fake receipt to the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank to secure a GH¢4 million loan, allegedly intended for the purchase of farming equipment.

During the Accountability Series on Monday, December 22, Mr. Ayine mentioned that inquiries by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) revealed that the document provided to the bank was fake.

He stated that on March 18, 2018, Chairman Wontumi gave EXIM Bank documents from Casama Enterprise, which he asserted demonstrated payment for heavy machinery like excavators and bulldozers. However, EOCO’s inquiries revealed that the document was forged.

The Attorney General stated that EOCO found out Chairman Wontumi had first asked Casama Enterprise for a proforma invoice related to the planned transaction. Instead of settling the cost of the equipment, he purportedly altered the invoice by modifying its description to a “receipt” and subsequently presented it to EXIM Bank as evidence of payment after the loan proceeds had been disbursed.

Mr. Ayine additionally disclosed that the owner of Casama Enterprise notified EOCO that no payment had been made and that the sole document provided to Wontumi Ghana Limited was a proforma invoice. He mentioned that the company made multiple attempts to follow up on the deal, but Chairman Wontumi did not respond to complete the acquisition.

The Attorney General stated that the case highlights the need for stricter loan approval processes and enhancing transparency and accountability in the handling of public financial resources.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com