Omanghana
The campaign team of Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, says his imprisonment will not prevent him from contesting for the national chairmanship of the New Patriotic Party.
Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson for Wontumi’s campaign, said supporters would obtain nomination forms on his behalf despite his current incarceration and questions surrounding his eligibility under the NPP’s constitution.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Dr. Boakye-Danquah said Wontumi remained committed to his ambition of leading the party.
“Chairman Wontumi is a politician. His friends believe in his ambition, and they are going to make sure that his form will be picked, submitted and filed,” he said.
Supporters to Obtain Nomination Forms
Dr. Boakye-Danquah disclosed that Wontumi’s supporters planned to collect his nomination forms before the end of the week.
According to him, the documents would be taken to Wontumi in prison for his signature before being returned to the party for submission.
The spokesperson maintained that no law prevented Wontumi or his supporters from initiating the nomination process.
He acknowledged concerns about provisions in the NPP constitution that may restrict members convicted and sentenced for certain offences from contesting for party positions. However, he said the campaign would proceed and address any challenges that arise.
Dr. Boakye-Danquah said supporters viewed Wontumi as a political prisoner, reflecting the NPP’s position on his conviction.
Campaign Team Insists Ambition Remains Active
The campaign spokesperson rejected suggestions that Wontumi should abandon his political ambition and concentrate exclusively on his appeal.
He said the former Ashanti Regional Chairman had already undertaken an extensive campaign tour covering all 16 regions and 276 constituencies before his imprisonment.
“Chairman was one of the first persons who stepped into the competition. He’s done his first round of the campaign already,” he stated.
Dr. Boakye-Danquah previously disclosed that Wontumi had instructed his campaign team to continue working towards his election as national chairman and support former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s future presidential ambitions.
The spokesperson said the campaign had received no instruction from Wontumi to suspend or withdraw from the contest.
Wontumi Serving 20-Year Prison Sentence
An Accra High Court sentenced Wontumi to 20 years in prison on July 20, 2026, following his conviction in a case involving mining operations on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
The court convicted him over the assignment of mineral rights granted to Akonta Mining Limited without obtaining the approval of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
He was also convicted of purposely facilitating unlicensed mining operations on the concession.
The sentences imposed on the different counts are to run concurrently, meaning Wontumi is expected to serve 20 years.
The court additionally imposed fines totaling 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000, with a further three-year prison term in default of payment.
Akonta Mining Limited was also fined over its role in the matter.
NPP Describes Judgment as Flawed
The NPP has rejected the High Court’s decision, describing the judgment as fundamentally flawed.
NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong said the party respected the authority of the courts but believed the conviction was unsupported by the evidence presented during the trial.
The party has argued that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Wontumi unlawfully transferred or assigned his mineral rights.
It has also alleged selective prosecution and accused the government of using the case to target political opponents claims the prosecution and government reject.
The NPP has vowed to pursue the matter through the appellate courts and support Wontumi throughout the legal process.
Lawyers Seek Bail Pending Appeal
Wontumi’s legal team has filed an application seeking bail while his appeal is being determined.
His lawyers argue that temporary release would allow him to work more effectively with counsel in challenging both the conviction and the sentence.
Until an appellate court overturns or modifies the High Court’s decision, however, the conviction and custodial sentence remain legally valid.
The NPP will also have to determine whether Wontumi satisfies its internal eligibility requirements before his name can appear on the ballot for national chairman.
His campaign team nevertheless insists that the nomination process will proceed, setting the stage for a possible legal and constitutional dispute within the party.
Source: Omanghana
