NDC–NPP Grassroots Unite to Dismiss Claims Against President Mahama Over Wontumi’s Continued Imprisonment
In a rare show of bipartisan consensus, grassroots supporters of both the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have rejected accusations that President John Dramani Mahama deliberately excluded former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), from the recent presidential amnesty list.
Wontumi, who is serving a 20‑year prison sentence, was not among the beneficiaries of the presidential pardon — a development that triggered criticism from some political commentators who accused President Mahama of refusing to grant him clemency.
But supporters from both parties have dismissed the claims as baseless, describing those pushing the narrative as “jokers” seeking cheap political points.
Public Opinion Turns Against Clemency
A public sampling of views on whether Chairman Wontumi should be granted executive clemency produced an overwhelming “no” from both NDC and NPP grassroots.
Two NPP supporters in the Ashanti Region, Kofi Anan and Paul Manu, questioned the logic behind calls for Wontumi’s release.
“Wontumi has barely served six months of a heavy 20‑year sentence,” Mr. Manu said. “Is he a superman born not to be punished when he commits an offense against the state?”
He stressed that Wontumi’s conviction has full legal backing and urged Ghanaians to avoid injecting politics into a straightforward criminal matter.
NDC Supporters Echo the Same Sentiment
Echoing similar views, Rebecca Asamoah, an NDC supporter from Asawase, advised those advocating for Wontumi’s release to “wait until the NPP returns to power if that is their dream.”
“How can someone serving a 20‑year jail term, who has not even completed six months, be freed?” she asked.
Asamoah urged Ghanaians to embrace constructive criticism and reject “dirty politics” that only deepens national division.