EOCO Pushes Back on 'Ransacking' Claims Over Visit to Wontumi's Tema Property

Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has firmly rejected claims that its officers ransacked a property belonging to Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako — widely known as Chairman Wontumi — located in Tema. In an official statement issued on Monday, 9th November, the agency described the visit as a routine, peaceful exercise that wrapped up in less than ten minutes.

What actually happened at the Tema property

According to EOCO, its officers conducted the visit jointly with officials from the Lands Commission for a specific and limited purpose: to obtain accurate measurements and geographic coordinates of the property in order to facilitate a professional valuation. The agency stressed that the operation was neither invasive nor confrontational, and that no incident of any kind occurred during the brief exercise.

"The activity was completed in less than 10 minutes without any incident. This is what has been characterised as ransacking of Wontumi's house," the agency stated in its release, taking direct aim at what it described as misleading coverage across various media platforms.

EOCO urged the public to disregard the reports and reaffirmed its commitment to operating within due process and the law.

Why it matters for Ghana

The episode sits at the intersection of two sensitive areas in Ghanaian public life: the accountability of powerful political figures and the institutional credibility of anti-corruption agencies. Chairman Wontumi is one of the most prominent figures within the New Patriotic Party, with significant business interests in Ghana's mining sector. Any law enforcement activity linked to his assets is inevitably going to attract intense public and political scrutiny.

EOCO's mandate covers the investigation and prosecution of economic and organised crime, including offences related to illicit wealth and assets. Property valuations of this nature are typically part of broader asset tracing or recovery proceedings, though EOCO did not spell out the precise legal context for this particular visit in its statement.

The speed with which reports of a "ransacking" spread — and EOCO's equally swift denial — highlights the fragile information environment surrounding high-profile investigations in Ghana. When powerful names are involved, narratives can harden quickly, making it harder for institutions to operate without being drawn into political controversy. For anti-corruption bodies like EOCO, maintaining public trust requires not just due process but also clear, timely communication — something the agency appears to have recognised by issuing a prompt rebuttal.

Broader context

Ghana has seen increased scrutiny of politically connected individuals and their assets in recent years, with EOCO and other state agencies occasionally finding themselves at the centre of accusations of either overreach or, conversely, selective enforcement. The fact that Chairman Wontumi leads the NPP in the Ashanti Region — the party's traditional stronghold — means any action touching his interests will be watched closely by both supporters and opponents.

EOCO has not indicated whether further steps are planned regarding the Tema property, and no charges have been publicly announced in connection with this matter. The agency's statement makes clear it considers the specific incident closed, characterising its actions as wholly lawful and proportionate.

• EOCO and Lands Commission officers visited the Tema property solely to gather valuation measurements.
• The agency says the exercise lasted less than ten minutes and was entirely peaceful.
• EOCO has urged the public to ignore media reports describing the visit as a ransacking.