'Even in prison, we'll vote for Chairman Wontumi' – NPP foot soldiers warn against jailing him

Some outspoken foot soldiers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have cautioned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government against what they describe as alleged attempts to secure the imprisonment of the party's Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Addressing journalists, the group alleged that any effort to have Chairman Wontumi jailed would be politically motivated and aimed at preventing him from becoming the next National Chairman of the NPP.

According to them, Chairman Wontumi currently enjoys overwhelming support within the party and is widely tipped to emerge victorious in the NPP's forthcoming national executive elections.

They argued that if anyone believes imprisoning him would derail his political ambition, they would be mistaken.

"If they think jailing Chairman Wontumi will stop his march to the National Chairmanship, then they should think again. Even if he is serving a prison sentence at Nsawam, we will vote massively for him. Nothing will stop us from making him our next National Chairman," one of the spokespersons declared.

The group insisted they were not intimidated by the governing NDC.

"We are not afraid of the NDC—not today and not tomorrow. We dare them to carry out their alleged plans and see the reaction from the grassroots of the NPP," they said.

The foot soldiers further accused the NDC of hypocrisy in its fight against illegal mining (galamsey).

According to them, while the party campaigned on promises to decisively tackle the menace and harshly criticised the previous Akufo-Addo administration over the issue, several prominent individuals associated with the NDC have themselves faced allegations or investigations relating to illegal mining since assuming office.

They argued that this undermines the government's moral authority to single out political opponents.

Their comments come at a time when Chairman Wontumi is facing a number of criminal proceedings before the courts.

One case relates to alleged illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession, where he and his company are standing trial over accusations including facilitating unlicensed mining operations and permitting mining activities without the required ministerial approval.

Chairman Wontumi has denied all the charges and is defending himself before the court.

In a separate matter, Chairman Wontumi, together with Wontumi Farms Limited and another accused person, is before the High Court over an alleged GH¢30 million EXIM Bank loan fraud case. The charges include defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, uttering forged documents and willfully causing financial loss to a public institution.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and is currently on bail while the matter remains before the court.

Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Chairman Wontumi has intensified his campaign for the position of National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party.

His bid is said to enjoy the backing of several influential figures within the party, including Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, who serves as Coordinator for the Office of the NPP Flagbearer, as well as a number of other senior party executives and grassroots supporters who believe he possesses the leadership qualities needed to lead the party into the 2028 general elections.

@ghana.eye Live updates: If they arrest Chairman Wontumi over the NPP National Chairmanship race, we will still vote for him ,even if he is in Nsawam Prison. #ghanaeye #viral #trending #fyp #news ♬ original sound - GHANA EYE