The campaign to elect Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has advanced with his campaign team picking up nomination forms on his behalf.
The development was confirmed by Ewuradwoa Coleman, Communications Director of the Wontumi campaign team, who said the move demonstrated the team’s decision to continue pursuing his bid despite his current incarceration.
“Yes indeed, the campaign team has picked up forms on behalf of Chairman Wontumi. We are continuing his bid in the National Chairmanship race,” she said in an interview with Joy News.
Mr Boasiako, the incumbent Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction by an Accra High Court over offences linked to illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, found him guilty on charges including assigning mineral rights without the requisite ministerial approval and facilitating unlicensed mining operations.
The sentences imposed on the various counts are running concurrently, giving him an effective custodial term of 20 years.
The court also imposed a GH¢120,000 fine, with a three-year default prison term should he fail to pay. The default term is also to run concurrently with the 20-year sentence.
Mr Boasiako has challenged both his conviction and sentence, with his lawyers filing an application for bail pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.
His incarceration has not, however, brought his national chairmanship campaign to a halt, as his campaign team continues to undertake activities on his behalf.
The decision to pick nomination forms adds an unusual dimension to the NPP’s upcoming national executive elections, with Mr Boasiako seeking to move from his current position as Ashanti Regional Chairman to the party’s national chairmanship.
His participation will now depend on the completion of the party’s nomination, vetting and electoral processes, alongside the outcome of his ongoing legal proceedings.
The development is expected to generate further interest within the NPP as the party prepares to elect its national officers and reorganise its leadership ahead of the 2028 general elections.
