Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticised the circumstances surrounding the arrest and continued detention of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Speaking to journalists outside the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) headquarters in Accra on Friday, May 30, Afenyo-Markin accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of engaging in a politically motivated abuse of power.
According to him, the NPP leadership had arranged to visit Chairman Wontumi but were unexpectedly denied access.
“All those arrangements were made, and upon getting here, they now tell us a different story,” he said.
The Minority Leader also expressed serious concern over the bail conditions imposed on Wontumi, describing them as excessive and unjustified.
“I find it very worrying that in a country like Ghana, someone is required to present GH¢50 million worth of property just for an enquiry bail,” he stated.
Directing his message to the governing party, Afenyo-Markin warned:
“I am telling my friends in the NDC once again, they should reflect on these actions—posterity is watching.”
He alleged that the ongoing detention was being used as a political tool to punish the regional chairman.
“He is nowhere to be found. They claim they couldn’t bring him here and that he is still in custody at the NIB’s Kawukudi office. We were told we can’t see him unless EOCO authorises it. You and I know they are using the bail as a form of punishment,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin described the situation as an unnecessary show of power by the government.
“They are flexing their muscles, trying to show Wontumi where power lies. Let them continue—but I will say it again: posterity is watching.”
Calling for greater political maturity, the Minority Leader urged all parties to rise above partisan retaliation.
“Democracy is not just about the courts. It’s also about reason, fairness, and thinking about the future. If something was wrong yesterday, it’s still wrong today and will remain wrong tomorrow.”
He concluded with a call for an end to political vendettas:
“As a political class, we must move beyond the era of ‘you do me, I do you.’ It’s time to chart a better path forward.”
