Wontumi’s NPP Chairmanship Bid Moves Forward From Prison
His campaign team has picked nomination forms for the incarcerated politician, keeping his bid alive despite his 20-year sentence.
The campaign team of New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman hopeful Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has picked nomination forms on his behalf, signalling that his bid for the party’s top executive position will proceed despite his incarceration. The development means Mr Boasiako’s campaign remains active while he serves a 20-year prison sentence imposed following his conviction in a case involving illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
Communications Director of the campaign team, Ewuradwoa Coleman, confirmed the development during an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse. She said the forms were obtained to give Mr Boasiako the opportunity to go through the NPP’s established electoral processes. According to her, the campaign believes that his incarceration does not, by itself, bring his political ambitions to an end, and that any question concerning his eligibility should be determined through the appropriate party or legal processes. The move sets up an unusual contest as Mr Boasiako seeks to transition from his position as NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman to the national chairmanship while serving a custodial sentence.
The acquisition of nomination forms, however, does not mean that Mr Boasiako has automatically been cleared to contest. Chairman of the NPP National Elections Committee, Fredrick Opare-Ansah, has said Mr Boasiako is allowed to obtain the nomination forms, but his eventual eligibility will be determined at the vetting stage. The distinction could become central to the race, with questions likely to arise over the party’s constitutional requirements, the effect of his conviction and imprisonment, and whether he can practically discharge the responsibilities of National Chairman while incarcerated. The vetting process is therefore expected to determine whether his nomination can proceed beyond the initial acquisition of the forms.
Mr Boasiako was sentenced by an Accra High Court on July 20, 2026, after being found guilty of offences connected to illegal mining operations on a concession at Samreboi. Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment in hard labour and imposed a GH¢120,000 fine, with a three-year custodial term in default. The custodial and default sentences were ordered to run concurrently. The case centred on allegations that mineral rights were assigned without the required ministerial approval and that unlicensed mining operations were facilitated on the concession. He has however challenged the conviction and sentence. His lawyers filed an appeal and subsequently applied for bail pending the determination of that appeal. The Attorney-General has opposed the bail application, arguing, among other things, that the application does not disclose special or exceptional circumstances warranting his release pending appeal.
The decision by Mr Boasiako’s campaign to proceed with the chairmanship bid places his legal battle and political ambitions on parallel tracks. While the courts consider his appeal and related bail proceedings, his campaign is seeking to remain within the NPP’s internal electoral process. The situation could therefore become one of the most contentious issues in the party’s preparations for its national executive elections, particularly if the vetting committee is required to make a definitive ruling on whether a serving prisoner can be cleared to contest the National Chairman position. For now, however, the campaign has made its position clear: Mr Boasiako’s incarceration has not brought his bid for the NPP National Chairmanship to an end.
By: Joyce Owusu
