The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has rejected claims by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong that his recent statements misrepresented party ideals and practices.
Wontumi accused Kodua of falling for “propaganda” and failing to verify his remarks before issuing a public rebuke.
The exchange follows Kodua’s statement, which dismissed comments by Wontumi and Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC) on internal primaries and polling station processes.
In particular, Kodua denied Wontumi’s alleged claim that the January 31, 2026, presidential primaries were designed to favor a specific aspirant, asserting the National Council’s decision aimed to provide strategic time to reorganize for the 2028 elections.
“In a related matter, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako has been heard alleging that the decision to hold the Party’s presidential primaries on January 31, 2026, was calculated to favour a particular aspirant. The Party affirms that this assertion is unfounded. The National Council exhaustively deliberated and took the decision in the Party’s supreme and strategic interest. Given the calibre of the members of the National Council, no individual can manipulate or influence a decision in his or her favour.” the statement read
In his response, Wontumi clarified he never mentioned the National Council in his statements, which focused on rallying support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia by citing historical NPP victories.
He referenced J.A. Kufuor’s 1996 primaries, where regional chairmen voted, yielding 39% support, and his 1998 Sunyani win, which allowed two years to campaign successfully in 2000. Wontumi likened this to Bawumia needing just 9% to secure victory in 2028.
“Kufuor in the 2000 election was looking for 11% plus 1 to add up to his 39% but Atta Mills, a fresh candidate was looking for 50% plus 1.To link this to our current situation, Dr Bawumia, is looking for 9% to win the NPP the 2028 election.”
“My position as Ashanti regional Chairman of the NPP, places me closer to the people who tell me about the direction the party should be considering in recapturing power. This was clearly manifested in my engagement with them. The National Council of the NPP never featured in any of the statement I made to the people.” he wrote
Wontumi criticized Kodua for not consulting him before issuing the statement, claiming the General Secretary fell for propaganda and warned of AI-driven misinformation risks.
“It is unfortunate Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong has fallen for a propaganda seeking to misconstrue my statement. There is no justice in the way he has gone about the matter. In this era where saboteurs can easily use tools such as Al to destroy good people, Mr. Kodua Frimpong could have simply reached out to me and gotten a full understanding of my statements before issuing a statement that is far from the truth.” he stated