Parliament witnessed heightened tensions today as the Minority Caucus staged a dramatic walkout in protest of the arrest and detention of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to the Minority, the move by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to detain Chairman Wontumi raises serious concerns about due process and the politicization of law enforcement. They argue that the circumstances surrounding his arrest remain unclear, and allege that it may be politically motivated.
Minority Leader Alexander AfenyoMarkin addressed the House briefly before the walkout, stating that the arrest represents “an affront to democracy and a worrying trend of political intimidation.” He further called for immediate transparency from EOCO and urged Parliament to demand answers regarding the legality and justification for the detention.
The Majority side of the House, however, maintained its composure, with some members describing the walkout as premature and unnecessary. A spokesperson for the NPP caucus insisted that EOCO is an independent institution and should be allowed to carry out its mandate without interference.
Chairman Wontumi, a controversial and influential figure within the NPP, has been a central player in Ghanaian politics, particularly in the Ashanti Region, a known stronghold of the ruling party. His arrest has already triggered heated debate on social media, with supporters demanding his immediate release and critics urging a thorough investigation.
At the time of this report, EOCO has not issued a formal statement detailing the reasons behind the arrest or the nature of the ongoing investigation.
More updates as the story develops.
Credit: ghanaweb.com
What is more premature or childish in the history of parliament than ndc caucus walking out on the idea of nhis, free maternal care etc. These people are fighting for democracy as Mahama’s ndc is begining to run the country like it’s under military rule.