The Ghana Prisons Service has launched an investigation into an alleged attempt to poison Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, while he is in custody at Nsawam Prison.
The Chief Public Relations Officer of the Service, CSP Abdul Latif Adamu, confirmed that the authorities began investigating after receiving information from the former Ashanti Regional Chairman’s spokesperson, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah.
“We have received this intelligence information and a committee of inquiry has been set up. We need to establish the facts by speaking with Mr Wontumi to find out what happened, what evidence he has and any other relevant details. We will then continue the investigation to determine exactly what happened and establish the appropriate steps to take to ensure the safety and security of Mr Wontumi and the other inmates.”
CSP Abdul Latif Adamu
According to the Chief Public Relations Officer, the Service took the information seriously after it was brought to the attention of prison authorities. However, he clarified that the former regional chairman has not personally lodged the initial complaint, making it necessary for investigators to establish the facts through further engagement and evidence gathering.
He declined to provide details that could compromise the investigation, explaining that the Service would communicate its findings through the appropriate law enforcement channels when the inquiry has sufficiently advanced.
Meanwhile, the Chief PRO dismissed speculation that the reported incident has already been established as a confirmed poisoning attempt. He stressed that investigators need to determine what happened before drawing conclusions or deciding on any further measures.
When asked whether inmates allegedly implicated in the incident have been moved from their cells, CSP Adamu clarified that he could not confirm claims that five prisoners have been relocated. He also explained that security protocols are being applied while the inquiry continues.
In an interview, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah revealed that inmates attempted to poison the politician. According to Dr Boakye-Danquah, Chairman Wontumi personally informed him of the alleged incident during a visit.
Bernard Antwi Boasiako was sentenced to 20 years in prison with hard labour on July 20, 2026, after an Accra High Court convicted him on six criminal charges linked to illegal mining activities at Samreboi.
Ghana Prisons Assures Wontumi’s Safety Amid Poisoning Probe
The Ghana Prisons Service assured the public that Chairman Wontumi is safe at Nsawam Prison amid an investigation into an alleged attempt to poison him.
The Service’s Chief Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdul Latif Adamu, also rejected claims that the convicted former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is receiving preferential treatment because of his political status.
“I think the Prisons are governed by rules and regulations, and those rules and regulations do not segregate or discriminate between prisoner A and prisoner B.”
CSP Abdul Latif Adamu
Addressing questions about whether Wontumi is being treated differently from other prisoners, the Chief PRO asserted that the Service operates under established rules and regulations that do not discriminate between inmates. He disputed suggestions that the former regional chairman is receiving special privileges, emphasising that “I can tell you that Wontumi is being subjected to the same rules and regulations that other prisoners are being subjected to.”
CSP Adamu acknowledged, however, that the authorities could consider a prisoner’s vulnerability when designing security arrangements. He explained that such consideration does not amount to preferential treatment, but is part of the Service’s responsibility to protect inmates in its custody.
Beyond the allegations surrounding his safety in custody, Chairman Wontumi called for improvements to healthcare and living conditions within Ghana’s prisons, including the establishment of a dedicated prison hospital. His call highlights the need for better medical facilities to cater for inmates and address the challenges associated with overcrowded correctional institutions.
Meanwhile, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, CSP Abdul Latif Adamu acknowledged the pressure overcrowding places on prison infrastructure, reinforcing concerns by the Former Ashanti Regional Chairman about the conditions under which inmates are held.
He further explained that Nsawam Prison, which was originally designed to accommodate approximately 851 inmates, currently holds more than 3,000 placing considerable strain on available facilities.
Chairman Wontumi’s proposed reforms include the construction of an ultra-modern prison hospital, the provision of ambulances and standby generators, and improved access to medical care for inmates across the country. He also called for wider reforms aimed at improving inmate welfare, rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
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