New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairmanship hopeful Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s upcoming national elections, days after his campaign team picked nomination forms on his behalf.
In a statement dated August 24, 2026, Mr Boasiako said he had reached the decision after consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters.
“After many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with my family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, I have come to the difficult conclusion that my present circumstances must not become an additional burden on the New Patriotic Party,” he said.
He said the decision was not what he wanted but was necessary to prevent his personal circumstances from distracting the party from its efforts to rebuild after its 2024 election defeat.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding,” he said.
The decision comes only days after Mr Boasiako’s campaign team on August 21, 2026, picked nomination forms for him for the NPP National Chairmanship contest despite his incarceration.
The NPP National Elections Committee subsequently clarified that picking nomination forms did not amount to automatic clearance to contest, with the party’s Vetting Committee responsible for determining the eligibility of aspirants.
Mr Boasiako is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction on illegal mining-related charges, while his legal team is challenging the conviction and sentence.
In his statement, he said his decision to step aside should not be interpreted as surrender, maintaining that he remains committed to seeking justice.
“Please do not see this decision as surrender. I have not surrendered, and I will never surrender in the pursuit of truth and justice,” he said.
He also appealed to his supporters not to allow his situation to create divisions within the NPP or trigger attacks against other aspirants.
“Do not insult anyone in my name. Do not attack any aspirant because of me. Do not abandon the party because Wontumi is passing through a difficult season,” he said.
Source: Citi Newsroom
