A former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has said the GH¢50 million bail condition placed on the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, is not expensive.
He argues Wontumi’s accomplishments demonstrate he can meet the bail terms, considering his own actions and utterances.
Speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 Thursday, May 29, 2025, Dr. Ansa-Asare maintained that Wontumi’s rights aren’t being violated, contrary to public perception, particularly members of the NPP.
According to him, Wontumi’s brandishing of gold bars on live television to express his wealth is enough to justify the amount placed on his head as a bail condition.
“Fifty million is not expensive to a person like Chairman Wontumi, who at one time used to brandish gold bars to indicate his wealth in society. I don’t think GHC50 million bail bond should be expensive for someone who owns Akonta Mining.
“So, I disagree with those who are syaing that it’s expensive and a violation of Chairman Wontumi’s fundamental human rights,” he stated.
His comments come on the back of the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s claim that the bail bond is too much, asking the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to immediately revoke it.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament Thursday, May 29, 2025, the Effutu Member of Parliament said the bail condition is just to punish Chairman Wontumi.
There was near drama as the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, who was in the chair, drew the Minority Leader’s attention to orders 93 and 67 of Parliament’s Standing Orders.
But the Minority members rose to their feet, chanting and singing portions of the national anthem.
The Speaker finally granted the Minority Leader leave to raise his concerns. Afeny-Markin stressed the need for the rule of law to be enforced, noting Chairman Wontumi is unwell and has been sent to the NIB clinic.
He said the move by EOCO is just to punish the Ashanti regional NPP Chairman. “It’s clear the 50 million cedis is to punish him.”
He wants EOCO to revoke the 50 million cedis bail condition slapped on Wontumi, or his side would protest by absenting themselves from proceedings. “Eoco must, without delay revoke the bail condition.”
After his submission, the first deputy speaker gave his ruling, indicating parliament cannot help in this matter as it cannot tell EOCO what to do.
The Minority then staged a walked out, and the house subsequently adjourned sitting.
Upon walking out of the chamber, the Minority members continued to the premises of EOCO where they sat on the floor in protest of the bail condition.
Minority MPs stage walkout from Parliament to EOCO HQ in solidarity with Wontumi
