Wontumi collapses during EOCO probe, rushed to hospital

Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako

Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was hospitalized on Tuesday, May 27.

He reportedly collapsed during an interrogation session at the offices of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra.

The incident was confirmed by his legal counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, a former Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North. While addressing journalists later that evening, Appiah-Kubi declined to reveal the location of the medical facility where his client was being treated, citing confidentiality.

“I know where he is but I am not going to disclose the hospital. But all that I can say is that my client has been taken to the hospital for medical treatment,” he stated.

Appiah-Kubi confirmed that the questioning session was incomplete and would resume once his client recovered. “We haven’t finished with the interrogation, so we will come back to continue hopefully [Wednesday] if his condition improves. Otherwise, he will stay there until the doctors discharge him, then we come back to continue the interrogation,” he said.

Chairman Wontumi was earlier invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service for questioning in connection with allegations of illegal mining, including operating without a license, polluting water bodies, and encroaching on protected forest reserves. Following his appearance at the CID headquarters, he was arested and taken to EOCO for further interrogation on what is believed to be related matters.

Wontumi’s arrest sparked immediate outrage among his supporters. Crowds of NPP faithful and party executives gathered outside the EOCO offices in protest, demanding his release. The demonstrations led to the deployment of military personnel to bolster security at the scene.

Several prominent NPP figures, including National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye and former Greater Accra Regional Minister Titus Glover, condemned the turn of events. They accused EOCO and elements within the government of orchestrating a politically motivated crackdown against a key opposition figure.