Several Russian billionaires with commercial interests in the West and the United States have been targeted for sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is one of the billionaires who has been sanctioned, putting the club’s finances in jeopardy.
Because of the impending penalties, the Russian billionaire decided to put his club up for sale for $3 billion. Inquiries into bidding for the winners of the UEFA Champions League include Bernard Antwi Boasiako, well known as Chairman Wontumi in Ghana.
“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.
“I am interested in Chelsea because they have a long history of giving opportunities to African athletes,” says 45-year-old Boasiako. The club’s stability will be restored as well, according to him.
Didier Drogba and Michael Essien are Chelsea heroes in Africa, and the chance to build on that reputation throughout the continent is enticing, says a spokeswoman for his client. Stability and job security are among the top goals, according to the statement.
Ghana’s Micheal Essien and Baba Raman, among others, have both played for the London club in the Premier League. Salomon Kalou, John Obi Mikel, Samuel Eto’o, and Edouard Mendy are among the others.
Hansol Company, a gold mining firm with operations in Ghana’s Ashanti and Western regions, is owned by Boasiako and controlled by him. According to a 2017 article on Ghana Web, the billionaire claims to make $1 million every day from his mining ventures. Over 100 Ghanaian residences were also mentioned in his interview. When he was barely 22 years old, he built his first 25-bedroom home.
Additionally, he is the owner of Wontumi Media, a Ghanaian media conglomerate that controls several radio and television stations. In addition, he owns the security and housekeeping firms.
It’s not all business for Boasiako. He’s also an elected official. He is the leader of the Ashanti Region branch of the New Patriotic Party in Ghana.
At Prempeh College in Ashanti, he was known as Benghazi for his habit of skipping class and not reporting to class.
As a security guard in London in 2003, the Ghanaian businessman and politician to have met Abramovich.
In 2003, when he took over the club, I met him for the first time.” I was a bodyguard in London at the time. My supervisor wanted me to work for him (Abramovich) since he was a close buddy of his.
“From now on, it’ll be business as usual and no longer personal. I’m a Manchester United fan, but I’d like to buy Chelsea since Ghanaians are big fans.”