Wontumi to file NPP Chairmanship nomination despite 20-year sentence
Convicted former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is set to submit his nomination to contest the party’s National Chairman position on Thursday, August 27, 2026, despite currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
His campaign team is expected to file the completed nomination forms at the NPP’s national headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra.
Boasiako was convicted by an Accra High Court presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay over offences linked to illegal mining at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
The court found him guilty of assigning mineral rights without the necessary ministerial approval and facilitating illegal mining activities. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined GH¢120,000.
His lawyers have subsequently applied for bail pending the hearing and determination of his appeal against both the conviction and sentence.
Ewuradwoa Coleman, Communications Director for Wontumi’s campaign, confirmed that the nomination would be filed and said the team remained committed to his bid.
She said the campaign believes Wontumi should be allowed to go through the NPP’s established electoral process, adding that any legal or constitutional concerns about his eligibility should be determined by the appropriate party or competent authority.
The move has, however, triggered questions over his eligibility. A legal opinion has cited provisions of the 1992 Constitution, including Articles 55(8) and 94(2)(c)(ii), which restrict individuals convicted of high crimes or sentenced to more than 10 years in prison from contesting parliamentary elections.
Because eligibility for certain party executive positions is tied to parliamentary eligibility, the provisions could potentially affect Wontumi’s bid for the National Chairmanship.
NPP National Elections Committee Chairman Fredrick Opare-Ansah, however, said the party secretariat has no authority to stop anyone from purchasing nomination forms.
He explained that while anyone could obtain a form, the responsibility for determining an aspirant’s eligibility rests with the Vetting Committee.
Wontumi faces competition from at least five other aspirants, including former NPP National Chairman Paul Awentami Afoko, former General Secretary John Boadu, former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko and Sammy Crabbe.
Afoko is expected to submit his completed nomination forms on Tuesday, August 25, under his “3R Agenda” of Reunite, Rebuild and Recapture.
The deadline for filing completed nomination forms is Saturday, August 29, following a two-day extension granted by the NPP’s National Officers Elections Committee.
Aspirants will undergo vetting from August 31 to September 3, when the Vetting Committee is expected to determine their eligibility. A final decision on whether Wontumi can contest the election will therefore be made during that process.
The NPP’s national delegates’ election is scheduled for October 3, 2026.
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