Former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has thrown his political weight behind former General Secretary John Boadu in the party’s National Chairmanship contest.
Chairman Wontumi, who withdrew from the race on August 24 following his incarceration, is backing Mr Boadu as the candidate he believes can strengthen the party’s organisational structures and improve its prospects ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The endorsement was announced by Dennis Okyere Danso, administrator of the Wontumi campaign, at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Mr Danso said the decision followed extensive consultations with Wontumi, grassroots members, constituency actors, campaign leaders, party elders and other stakeholders across the country.
He disclosed that the Wontumi campaign leadership visited Mr Boasiako at the Nsawam facility on Friday, September 4, where discussions were held before the decision to support Mr Boadu was reached.
“Following the meeting and after extensive consultation with the grassroots, constituency actors, campaign leadership, party elders and stakeholders across the country, the Wontumi campaign has taken a firm and decisive position to throw our full support, strength and political weight behind the candidature of Mr John Boadu for the National Chairman,” he said.
Mr Danso described the endorsement as a strategic move intended to advance the interests of the NPP and strengthen its preparations for the next general election.
He said Mr Boadu’s institutional experience and understanding of the party’s organisational structures, combined with the grassroots network built by the Wontumi campaign, could provide the party with a stronger organisational base.
“John Boadu brings extensive institutional experience, deep knowledge of the party’s organisational structure, strong relationships across its ranks and proven records of frontline service,” he said.
He added: “When grassroots strength meets institutional experience, and mobilisation is matched with organisation, the NPP becomes a formidable force for victory.”
According to Mr Danso, the campaign considers Mr Boadu the best positioned among the aspirants to lead the party’s rebuilding efforts and support the NPP’s bid to return former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to the presidency in 2028.
The endorsement gives Mr Boadu the backing of a prominent figure within the NPP’s Ashanti Region political establishment and comes as the party prepares for its national executive elections.
Chairman Wontumi withdrew his candidature on August 24, days after his campaign team had picked up nomination forms on his behalf.
In a statement, Mr Boasiako said the decision followed consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters.
He is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction on illegal mining-related charges, although his legal team is challenging both the conviction and sentence.
The latest endorsement also comes after a Global InfoAnalytics survey released on August 20 placed Mr Boadu ahead of other leading contenders in the National Chairmanship race.
The survey found that 27 per cent of NPP voters preferred Mr Boadu for the position, compared with 15 per cent for former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko and 10 per cent for Paul Afoko.
