A senior aide to former Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has alleged that some inmates attempted to poison the politician while he was in prison.
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah made the disclosure on Tuesday, October 27, during an interview with Sammie Wiafe on Citi FM’s *Eyewitness News*, as Wontumi marked his 100th day in prison.
According to him, Wontumi personally informed him about the alleged incident when he appeared in court on Tuesday.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said he had also contacted the prison commander, who assured him that investigations had been initiated to establish the facts surrounding the allegation.
“Chairman is okay. We haven’t received any medical reports from the doctors. But I have received indications that over the past week, some prison inmates attempted to poison him,” he said.
He added that the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident were still being investigated, with authorities expected to provide further information after establishing the facts.
The aide stressed that he had been assured by the prison commander that the matter was receiving attention.
“He mentioned that to me today when he came to court, and I have spoken to the commander, and the commander said he has asked them to investigate the matter, so he will come back to me on that issue. This attempted poisoning of his life happened a few days ago,” Dr Boakye-Danquah added.
However, he did not disclose the identities of the alleged perpetrators or provide details about how the purported poisoning attempt was carried out.
The allegation has not been independently verified, and no official findings from the reported investigation have been made public in the information available.
### Wontumi Calls for Prison Reforms
Beyond the alleged incident, Dr Boakye-Danquah reiterated Wontumi’s call for comprehensive reforms within Ghana’s prison system.
He said greater attention should be paid to inmate welfare, rehabilitation and the reintegration of prisoners into society after serving their sentences.
The alleged poisoning attempt has raised questions about inmate safety and security in prison facilities, although the circumstances of the reported incident remain unclear.
### Wontumi Challenges Conviction
Wontumi is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of permitting mining activities on his Samreboi concession without approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
The former Ashanti Regional NPP chairman is seeking temporary release while challenging his conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal.
His reported poisoning scare adds another development to his ongoing legal and prison ordeal as he pursues his appeal.
For now, the focus remains on the outcome of the reported investigation and whether prison authorities will establish the facts surrounding the allegation.
Story by: Andre Mustapha Nii Okai Inusah
Popularly Known As: Attractive Mustapha
Email: attractivemustapha@gmail.com
Contact Number 0244259564
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