Wontumi presented a fictitious receipt to obtain a GH¢4 million EXIM bank loan – AG.

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The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, is accused of presenting a falsified receipt to the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank in order to obtain a GH¢4 million loan, allegedly for the purchase of agricultural machinery, according to Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine.

Speaking to the Accountability Series on Monday, December 22, Mr. Ayine said that the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO) investigations proved the document that was given to the bank was not genuine.

He clarified that on March 18, 2018, Chairman Wontumi gave EXIM Bank documents from Casama Enterprise that he said demonstrated payment for heavy-duty machinery like bulldozers and excavators.

However, EOCO’s investigations revealed that the paper was fake.

The Attorney General claims that EOCO discovered that Chairman Wontumi had originally asked Casama Enterprise for a proforma invoice as part of the planned transaction.

He allegedly changed the invoice’s description to “receipt” instead of paying for the equipment, then presented it to EXIM Bank as evidence of payment once the loan funds had been disbursed.

Mr. Ayine also disclosed that the owner of Casama Enterprise told EOCO that Wontumi Ghana Limited had only received a proforma invoice and that no payment had ever been received.

He continued by saying that despite the company’s repeated attempts to follow up on the deal, Chairman Wontumi failed to show up to complete the purchase.

According to the Attorney General, the case emphasises how crucial it is to tighten loan approval processes and strengthen accountability and openness in the administration of public funds.

Source: newsthemegh.com