The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is once again at the centre of public scrutiny following his recent bail out.
Dr. Thomas Anabah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Garu, has dismissed recent health claims surrounding the embattled politician as a calculated act of pretense to garner public sympathy amid ongoing criminal allegations.
Dr. Anabah, known for his outspoken political commentary, questioned the credibility of claims that Wontumi suffered a stroke after being arrested by the EOCO, describing his supposed illness as a manipulative tactic to evade accountability.
His comments come as Wontumi faces growing legal and social pressure over alleged environmental crimes linked to illegal mining and suspected financial misconduct.
In a direct and confrontational address, Dr. Anabah accused Wontumi of abusing political privilege and acting with impunity while in power. He cited Wontumi’s past conduct, including public declarations made on radio, as proof of an inflated sense of political dominance.
“Wontumi has proven to be somebody who can say anything to anybody – somebody who believes that the country belonged to him when his government was empowered, showing power everywhere”
Dr. Thomas Anabah, MP For Garu
He criticised the sudden deterioration of Wontumi’s health following his arrest, calling it suspicious and undeserving of public concern.
“Common arrest, and they have to take him to hospital. Common arrest, he has come out and he’s limping. He has not seen anything yet”
Dr. Thomas Anabah, MP For Garu
Dr. Anabah’s remarks extended to the allegations of illegal mining activities connected to Wontumi, particularly the contentious Akonta Mining operations, which have faced public outcry for contributing to massive deforestation and environmental degradation.
Environmental Devastation and Political Impunity
Dr. Anabah linked Wontumi’s actions to a broader pattern of political impunity in Ghana, where powerful individuals often shield themselves with party influence. “To some of us, it is really what we call causing environmental devastation and reducing our forest to Sahara.”
He expressed concern that political parties were increasingly being used as protective shields for corrupt or unpatriotic actions rather than instruments for public service. He distanced himself from such practices and called on all political actors to prioritise national interest over individual protection.
“Look, let’s not use our political parties to shield our corruption and our unpatriotic activities” he reiterated.Dr. Anabah insisted that Wontumi must be subjected to due legal process, stressing that while everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the weight of public evidence should not be ignored.
“Some of the issues that we are confronting right now with Wontumi are things we all know he has done. We are just waiting for a judge to pronounce him guilty”
Dr. Thomas Anabah, MP For Garu
He urged political party leaders to stay clear of clandestine efforts to negotiate Wontumi’s release or interfere in judicial processes, warning against behind-the-scenes manoeuvres that could compromise justice.
No Sympathy
Dr. Anabah openly dismissed Wontumi’s claims of having suffered a stroke, describing his conduct post-release as inconsistent with someone seriously ill.
He maintained that what Wontumi experienced was the psychological shock of losing his political shield, not a medical emergency. “There is no stroke in him. After all, after that, we saw him again walking very well.”
To further hold him accountable, Dr. Anabah called on the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to expedite legal proceedings and recover any unlawfully acquired funds linked to Wontumi.
He stressed the importance of financial restitution to help address national debt burdens and noted that public sympathy should not be misplaced when dealing with individuals who once wielded unchecked power.
“If you are a very powerful person, and suddenly, your powers are taken away from you, definitely, you’ll be in shock”
Dr. Thomas Anabah, MP For Garu
As Wontumi’s legal battles continue, the debate surrounding political influence, accountability, and public trust intensifies. With the government pledging to enforce the rule of law without fear or favour, all eyes remain on how institutions will respond to Dr. Anabah’s fervent call for justice.
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