Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, remains in the race for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) national chairmanship, with his campaign team picking up nomination forms on his behalf despite his incarceration.
The move keeps Wontumi’s bid alive as the NPP prepares for its national executive elections, even though the former Ashanti Regional Chairman is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction in an illegal mining case.
His legal team is also pursuing an appeal and has sought bail pending the determination of that appeal.
The decision to proceed with the nomination process follows earlier assurances from Wontumi’s campaign that his imprisonment had not ended his ambition to lead the party nationally.
On August 7, campaign spokesperson Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah said the team had received no indication from Wontumi that he had abandoned his bid.
He said the campaign remained committed to securing the nomination forms and pursuing the contest.
The campaign had already established a formal national structure in May, with former MP Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh named campaign chairman and George Oduro appointed campaign manager.
Other party figures were assigned responsibilities covering political affairs, communications, grassroots mobilisation and campaign operations.
The latest move therefore represents a continuation of an ambition Wontumi publicly pursued before his imprisonment rather than a new political decision.
For now, the development signals that Wontumi’s campaign intends to keep his name in contention despite the significant legal and logistical challenges created by his imprisonment.
His campaign spokesperson has previously acknowledged that the final decision rests with NPP delegates.
His national campaign had begun months before his conviction.
In February, he publicly declared his intention to contest the national chairmanship, and by May his campaign team had been formally announced.
The immediate focus will be on the NPP’s nomination and vetting process, as well as the progress of Wontumi’s appeal and bail application.
Whether he can ultimately participate in the national chairmanship contest will depend on the party’s applicable rules and the outcome of the relevant legal and electoral processes.
