We have decided to prosecute Wontumi Farms, directors — Ayine

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has stated that the state will initiate prosecution against Wontumi Farms and its directors for alleged financial crimes connected to the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank.

Dr. Ayine explained that investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) uncovered sufficient evidence to support charges of defrauding by false pretences, forgery, and causing financial loss to the state. The total alleged loss currently stands at GHS24,255,735, representing the principal sum plus accrued interest.

“In the face of the evidence we have gathered in this investigation, thoroughly conducted by EOCO, we have made the decision to prosecute Wontumi Farms and its directors with defrauding by false pretences, forgery and causing financial loss to the state in the sum of GHS24,255,735. This figure represents the principal sum plus the interest that has accrued so far. By the time we file charges which will definitely be after the Christmas break it might be that this figure would have increased because the interest on the principal keeps compounding. So we will get the exact figure of the amount that is involved in this criminal enterprise from the EXIM Bank before we file charges in court,” Dr. Ayine stated during a press briefing in Accra on Monday, December 22.

The prosecution follows EOCO investigations into a loan transaction involving Wontumi Farms, tied to its director, widely known as Chairman Wontumi. The Attorney-General previously disclosed that the company obtained a GHS4 million loan from EXIM Bank using a forged document.

Investigators established that Chairman Wontumi submitted a falsified receipt purportedly issued by Casama Enterprise, claiming it covered payment for heavy-duty farm and industrial equipment, including bulldozers and excavators.

EOCO’s findings, however, revealed that the document was originally a proforma invoice, and the word “invoice” had been altered to “receipt” to mislead the bank. The owner of Casama Enterprise later confirmed that no payment had been made and only a proforma invoice had been issued to Wontumi Ghana Limited.

Dr. Ayine noted that despite assurances to complete the equipment purchase, the transaction was never finalized, and the forged receipt falsely suggested that Casama Enterprise had received the full GHS4 million.

The Attorney-General also highlighted progress in the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) investigations, urging state institutions with information on alleged corruption to submit it promptly.

“The ORAL investigation is going on well. 2026 is going to be a different year. If I make demands on you [state institutions] and you delay, I will take the view that you are complicit. So all state institutions that have information that is needed to file criminal prosecutions should not delay in submitting the information,” he stressed during the Government Accountability Series.

The AG confirmed that prosecution proceedings are expected to commence after the Christmas break, once EXIM Bank verifies the exact outstanding amount, reaffirming the government’s commitment to tackling corruption involving politically exposed persons.