Wontumi withdraws from NPP Chairman contest
New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman aspirant Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party's upcoming national executive elections, citing his personal circumstances and the need to protect the party from further burden.
In a statement dated August 24, 2026, Boasiako said the decision followed "many nights of prayer, sober reflection" and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters.
"There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden," he said. "Today, I find myself at such a painful moment."
He said he had concluded that his current circumstances should not become an additional burden on the NPP, particularly as the party works to rebuild following its defeat.
"After many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with my family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, I have come to the difficult conclusion that my present circumstances must not become an additional burden on the New Patriotic Party," he said.
He added that the decision was not what he wanted, but was necessary to protect the party he considers his home.
"This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more," he said.
Boasiako pointed to his years of service to the party.
"For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me. I have walked through the heat and the rain, travelled to the remotest communities and stood with our grassroots in both victory and defeat," he said. "The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life."
He said his personal circumstances and ambition could not be allowed to distract the party from its rebuilding efforts.
"That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead," he said. "I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me."
He also acknowledged the impact of the decision on his supporters nationwide.
"To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey," he said.
Boasiako's withdrawal reduces the field of aspirants for the NPP National Chairmanship position. The remaining candidates are Paul Afoko, John Boadu, Boakye Agyarko and Sammy Crabbe.