Wontumi campaign team picks NPP National Chairman nomination forms despite 20-year prison sentence
New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman hopeful Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has picked nomination forms to contest the party’s National Chairman position despite currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
The development was confirmed by Ewuradwoa Coleman, Communications Director of Mr Boasiako’s campaign team, who said the team remained committed to his bid.
“Yes indeed, the campaign team has picked up forms on behalf of Chairman Wontumi. We are continuing his bid in the National Chairmanship race,” she told Joy News.
Mr Boasiako is currently serving a 20-year custodial sentence following his conviction by an Accra High Court over offences related to illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, found him guilty of offences including assigning mineral rights without the requisite ministerial approval and intentionally facilitating unlicensed mining operations.
The sentences imposed on the various counts are running concurrently, resulting in an effective 20-year prison term.
The court also fined him GH¢120,000 and imposed a three-year default prison sentence should he fail to pay the fine. The default term is also to run concurrently with the 20-year sentence.
Mr Boasiako has since challenged both his conviction and sentence. His lawyers have filed an application seeking bail pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.
Despite his incarceration and the ongoing legal proceedings, his campaign team has proceeded with his national chairmanship bid by securing the nomination forms on his behalf.
The development sets the stage for an unusual contest as the NPP prepares for its national executive elections, with Mr Boasiako seeking to move from his current position as Ashanti Regional Chairman to the party’s national leadership.