Embattled former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from his bid to contest as National Chairman of the party.
In a statement dated August 24, 2026, Wontumi said the decision was not what he wanted but was necessary to prevent his personal circumstances from distracting the party from its efforts to rebuild after its 2024 election defeat.
“Please do not see this decision as surrender. I have not surrendered, and I will never surrender in the pursuit of truth and justice,” the statement said.
The annoucement comes days after his campaign team picked nomination forms on his behalf.
WONTUMI ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7uFXEsjYcj
— Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah (@PalgraveDanquah) August 24, 2026
The NPP is set to hold national executive elections slated from September 18-20, 2026. At least 8 people have shown intertest in the role.
Wontumi is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction last month for facilitating illegal mining activities. His legal team is trying to challenge the conviction and sentence.
Read Also: Chairman Wontumi Jailed 20 Years for ‘Facilitating Illegal Mining’