Former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed for calm among party supporters following the continued detention of the NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Dr. Bawumia made the call during a visit to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) headquarters, where he and other senior party officials were reportedly denied access to the detained chairman.
“We are very, very disappointed in our inability to see him,” Dr. Bawumia told journalists. “We had made prior arrangements and have expressed our disappointment.”
The NPP leader also criticised the bail conditions set by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), describing the GH¢50 million requirement—with two justified sureties—as excessive and intentionally restrictive.
“I must put on record that the bail conditions set for Chairman Wontumi are very onerous. I don’t know how many people in Ghana have property worth GH¢50 million. I believe this was just set to prevent his timely release,” he stated.
Despite expressing frustration, Dr. Bawumia reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the rule of law and due process. He assured supporters that the legal team is actively working to secure Wontumi’s release.
“We are going to follow the legal process to ensure that he is released as early as possible,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Bawumia urged NPP supporters to remain peaceful and avoid any unlawful acts in response to the situation.
“I want to plead with all of you to remain calm as we work behind the scenes to ensure that he is out. I believe we will be successful. We must stay calm and not take the law into our own hands.”
Chairman Wontumi’s continued detention has heightened political tensions and drawn national attention.
Credit: Emmanuel Tetteh
