By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The campaign team of incarcerated former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, on Friday picked nomination forms on his behalf to contest the party’s National Chairmanship position.
Wontumi is currently serving an effective 20-year prison sentence following his conviction by an Accra High Court on illegal-mining-related charges last month.
He has appealed the conviction and sentence, while his lawyers are also seeking bail pending the determination of the appeal.
His campaign Communications Director, Ewuradwoa Coleman, confirmed that the team remains committed to his bid, arguing that his incarceration should not automatically end his political ambitions.
However, the NPP’s National Elections Committee Chairman, Frederick Opare-Ansah, has stressed that picking nomination forms does not automatically make an aspirant eligible to contest. He said eligibility will ultimately be determined by the party’s Vetting Committee.
The development is expected to intensify debate over Wontumi’s eligibility and the practical implications of contesting for national party office while serving a custodial sentence.
The NPP’s 2026 National Officers Elections are scheduled for October 3, 2026. The party has also extended the deadline for filing completed nomination forms to August 29. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
