Plea bargains favour the rich and powerful in practice — Arthur Kennedy

Political commentator and staunch member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Arthur Kennedy has argued that although plea bargaining is available to all accused persons under the law, wealthy and influential individuals often secure better outcomes than ordinary citizens.

His comments come amid public debate over a plea bargain application filed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in his ongoing GH¢14.3 million Exim Bank fraud case.

The Attorney-General's Office informed the High Court in Accra in a filing dated June 11, 2026, that Chairman Wontumi had commenced steps toward a plea agreement after a request by his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi.

Speaking on Accra-based JoyNews' Newsfile programme on Saturday, June 13, Dr. Kennedy stressed that while plea bargaining exists for both rich and poor persons, access to favourable terms is often influenced by one's status and resources.

"Plea bargain is not as accessible to the poor in practice as it is to the rich and powerful and connected," he said.

"The powerful and more resourced are able to have access to better terms when they do plea bargains. Our purpose should be able to equalize justice, so that the rich and poor alike will have equal access to all branches of justice and all facets of it," he added.

Chairman Wontumi, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, who is reported to be at large, and Wontumi Farms Limited are facing four charges, namely defrauding by false pretence, uttering a forged document, money laundering and intentionally causing financial loss to a public institution.

According to the charge sheet filed on May 15, 2026, the accused allegedly obtained GH¢14.3 million from Exim Bank in 2018 after applying for a facility of GH¢18.7 million on behalf of Wontumi Farms Limited for a large-scale farming project.

The prosecution alleges that no farming activities were undertaken, no machinery was purchased and no workers were employed.

It further alleges that a document presented as evidence of the purchase of farming equipment was forged.

The charge sheet also accuses the three defendants of causing financial loss to Exim Bank exceeding GH¢30 million in connection with the transaction.