Ghanaians, NPP members, rise and come to my rescue — Chairman Wontumi cries out over attempted arrest

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is calling on Ghanaians and party members to come to his aid following an alleged attempt to arrest him.

Reports indicate that on the morning of Friday, May 23, a team of police officers and individuals believed to be National Security operatives surrounded his residence.

The officers were said to have demanded access to the premises, which remained locked.

They were reportedly seen knocking and banging on the main entrance, awaiting a response.

Speaking on his own Wontumi Radio during the attempted arrest, the embattled party chairman, whose exact whereabouts remain unclear, condemned what he described as state-sponsored intimidation and efforts to cripple his businesses.

“Ghanaians, rise up. All NPP members, rise up. I am being intimidated by President John Mahama because of you—members of the NPP. I have never been a Vice President, a Minister, a CEO, or a board member of any state institution,” he said.

“I was only a Chairman with the mandate to campaign for my party. After the elections, we didn’t win—you won. So what more do you want?” he asked.

Recall that in April, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) froze all accounts belonging to Chairman Wontumi following allegations that his company, Akonta Mining, was involved in illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest.

Narrating his ordeal, the NPP stalwart disclosed that he currently struggles to fend for himself and pay his children’s school fees.

“In 2013, my business was collapsed, yet when we [the NPP] came to power, I didn’t retaliate. Now that you’ve assumed office in 2025, you’re still targeting my companies. Even my bank accounts have been frozen.

“Today, I struggle to eat and pay my children’s school fees. What state money came to me that justifies this harassment?” he quizzed.