Serving 20-Year Sentence, Chairman Wontumi Withdraws from NPP National Chairmanship Race

Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi and formerly the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has announced his withdrawal from the party's National Chairmanship race. This decision comes as he is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence.

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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. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment.

In a statement released yesterday, Chairman Wontumi explained that his decision was motivated by his deep affection for the NPP and his commitment to prevent his personal situation from hindering the party's rebuilding efforts. He described the moment as one where "duty demands sacrifice" and where personal ambition must be set aside to protect the party he loves.

After extensive prayer, reflection, and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, and supporters, Wontumi concluded that his current circumstances should not add to the NPP's existing challenges. He acknowledged that this decision was difficult but stated that "true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more."

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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.

Wontumi highlighted his years of dedicated service to the NPP, recalling his efforts in various conditions and his consistent support for the grassroots. He emphasized that the NPP is more than just a political party to him; it is his "family" and "home." He expressed concern that the party, already grappling with the aftermath of electoral defeat and the task of preparing for future elections, should not be burdened by his personal issues.

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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 extended his sympathy to his supporters across Ghana's 16 regions, acknowledging the pain and sacrifices they have made for his campaign. Wontumi stated that he would "rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me," underscoring his commitment to the party's well-being above his own ambitions.

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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. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me.