Who is the Ghanaian gold mine owner seeking to buy Chelsea?

Following the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a number of Russian billionaires with business interests in the West and America have been subject to targeted sanctions. One of the billionaires hit by the sanctions is Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, which has left the finances of the London-based club in a precarious situation.

To save the club from sanctions, the Russian business mogul listed the club for sale at the cost of $3 billion. Among those interested in bidding for the UEFA Champions League winners include Ghanaian gold miner and media mogul Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.

“Bernard Antwi Boasiako is exploring a potential offer for Chelsea. Discussions with various parties involved in the sale have taken place,” a spokesman for the businessman said, according to Sportsmail.

Boasiako, 45, says his interest in Chelsea is because of the club’s record of giving opportunities to African players who have won the club a large following in Sub-Saharan Africa. He is also promising to restore stability to the club.

“Chelsea has a lasting legacy in Africa, players like Didier Drogba and Michael Essien are legends of the club; the opportunity to enhance the club’s reputation in Africa is a very tempting prospect,” his spokesman said. “Restoring stability and ensuring there are no job losses are among the priorities.”

Some of the African players that have been featured for the London club include Ghana’s Micheal Essien and Baba Raman. Others include Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, John Obi Mikel, Samuel Eto’o and Edouard Mendy.

Boasiako owns Hansol Company, a gold mining company which operates in Ghana’s Ashanti and Western regions. In 2017, Ghana Web reported the businessman as saying he makes $1 million daily via his mining businesses. He also stated in the interview that he has over 100 houses in Ghana. He built his first 25-bedroom house while he was just 22 years.

He also owns Wontumi Media, a media conglomerate that operates several radio and TV stations in Ghana. He also has security and cleaning services companies.

Aside from being a gold mine owner and media mogul, Boasiako is also a politician. He is chairman of the branch of the governing New Patriotic Party in Ghana’s Ashanti Region.

He attended the prestigious Prempeh College in the Ashanti Region where he earned the nickname Benghazi for his truancy.

The Ghanaian businessman and politician says he met Abramovich in London in 2003 while he was working as a security guard there.

“I’ve met him once in 2003 when he took over the club. At that time, I was a bodyguard in London. He was a close friend to my boss who wanted me to work for him (Abramovich),” Boasiako says.

“Now it will be business and not working for him. For me, I’m a Manchester United fan but because Ghanaians love Chelsea I would want to buy.”