The Spokesperson for Chairman Wontumi, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah has disclosed that Bernard Antwi Boasiako’s final message to him before beginning his 20-year prison sentence centres on working hard to strengthen the New Patriotic Party. He said the message also urged him to protect the party and support its flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as the NPP seeks to return to power.
Dr Boakye-Danquah recounted the message following the court’s decision to sentence the Ashanti Regional Chairman to 20 years in prison. According to the Spokesperson, the moment has deeply affected him as he considered the impact of the sentence on Chairman Wontumi’s family, the NPP and its supporters.
“Chairman told me to hang on, work hard for the party, bring the party back to power, and get governance ongoing. And so those were his last words to me: Hang on, work hard for the party, protect the party, bring Dr Bawumia to power, and I will be fine.”
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah
Furthermore, Dr Boakye Danquah described the sentencing as an extremely difficult moment for him and said he had been praying for Chairman Wontumi and his family. He also linked the development to the wider political fortunes of the NPP, describing the convicted businessman as an influential figure within the party.
From his perspective, Chairman Wontumi’s position as Ashanti Regional Chairman gave the sentence a significant political dimension. He argued that the politician has played a key role in the NPP’s electoral activities and remained an important figure among its grassroots supporters.
Addressing Chairman Wontumi’s reaction in court, Dr Boakye Danquah explained that the NPP figure appeared visibly unhappy when the sentence was delivered. He revealed that the convicted businessman repeatedly shook his head in disagreement with the convictions and the final prison term.
The Spokesperson nevertheless described Chairman Wontumi as mentally, morally and emotionally strong. He expressed confidence that the NPP figure would endure the sentence as the legal process continued. In addition, Dr Boakye Danquah referred to two motions raised by lawyer Fati involving constitutional interpretation and a stay of execution. He said the defence had expected those matters to receive consideration before the court proceeded with the final sentencing.
According to him, the constitutional questions required interpretation by the Supreme Court because of the hierarchy of Ghana’s courts. He therefore argued that the decision to proceed with the judgment before the constitutional matters received further consideration would continue to attract discussion within the legal community.
The Spokesperson also referred to comments from former Lands and Natural Resources Minister Inusah Fuseini on the delivery of judgment in the absence of legal counsel. He argued that the constitutional questions raised by the defence created a separate issue requiring careful legal consideration.
Dr Boakye Danquah indicated that the NPP and its supporters would continue to follow developments surrounding Chairman Wontumi’s case. He added that the party would focus on supporting its members while considering the legal and political implications of the sentence.
Wontumi’s Sentence Threatens Business And Political Plans
The Spokesperson for Chairman Wontumi, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah also indicated that the 20-year prison sentence could create significant challenges for the businessman’s companies, political ambitions and the thousands of people connected to his businesses. He explained that Chairman Wontumi’s influence extends across private enterprise, the NPP and communities in the Ashanti Region.
Discussing the business impact, Dr Boakye Danquah said Chairman Wontumi employed thousands of young people through his private companies, radio station and television operations. He nevertheless expressed confidence that the businesses had internal structures capable of continuing their operations during his absence.
“Chairman Wontumi is an entrepreneur who employs thousands of young people across the country, so definitely this is a big blow to all of them.”
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah
Moreover, the Spokesperson said the sentence would affect people who depended on Chairman Wontumi’s businesses and political activities across the country. He described the businessman as a grassroot figure whose influence reached beyond the Ashanti Region.
Turning to the NPP leadership contest, Dr Boakye-Danquah disclosed that Chairman Wontumi was interested in contesting the party’s National Chairmanship position before the ruling. He explained that the campaign team has yet to make a formal decision because the party had not opened nominations or begun the filing process.
According to him, the political future of the campaign would be considered when the relevant party processes began. He added that the sentence has created a new situation that the campaign team would need to assess before making a decision.
In the meantime, plans were being considered for visits to Chairman Wontumi in prison. Dr Boakye Danquah explained that prison regulations provided visiting hours and procedures that would allow family members and party officials to meet him.
He further indicated that the NPP would also seek an opportunity to visit its Ashanti Regional Chairman. The Spokesperson also disclosed that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia held an emergency meeting after the sentencing. He said the NPP flagbearer directed the party and its parliamentary caucus to organise separate press conferences following the court’s decision.
Dr Boakye-Danquah added that Dr Bawumia is very involved in the party’s response to the development. He indicated that the NPP flagbearer has been deeply affected by the sentence and is expected to support efforts aimed at helping the party recover from the development.
Regarding the management of Chairman Wontumi’s companies, the Spokesperson declined to disclose details. He explained that the matter involved private business arrangements and therefore require respect for the privacy of the businessman and his companies.
