Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, says the question of whether Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, was a potent threat in the NPP chairmanship race is now irrelevant following his withdrawal.
Dr. Asah-Asante, reacting to the decision by the immediate past Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to pull out of the contest said Wontumi’s withdrawal ends the discussion on whether he would have been a threat or otherwise.
When asked whether he was surprised by the decision, Dr. Asah-Asante said Chairman Wontumi had reflected on the situation and taken what he considers the best decision.
“He has reflected upon the situation and thinks that this is the decision he has to take, that’s all,” he said on Ghana Tonight on TV3 Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
On whether Wontumi’s campaign team was still holding on to some hope ahead of the October 3 election, the political scientist said the team was doing its best under the circumstances but must now move on.
“They were doing their best but under the circumstance, now the decision is out so that’s how they have to proceed from here,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Dr. Asah-Asante indicated that whether Wontumi was a potent threat in the race or not is no longer relevant.
“Now the condition he finds himself, whether he was a threat in terms of his candidature for the party election, is not relevant anymore. He has come out with this letter, that’s the end of the story now,” he stressed.
The discussion follows Wontumi’s withdrawal from the NPP chairmanship race after his team picked nomination forms for him while in prison.
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.
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.
Below is his full statement:
NPP chairmanship race: ‘Wontumi’s chances too bleak’ – Justice Abdulai
