Chairman Wontumi Meets Dr. Bawumia After EOCO Release, Signaling NPP Solidarity
Ghanaian politics witnessed a significant moment on Tuesday, June 3 rd, 2025, as Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, visited Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia shortly after his release from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Wontumi, the influential Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), was detained by EOCO on Monday, June 2nd, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal mining activities. His release came after several hours of questioning, though the specifics of the investigation remain undisclosed by authorities.
Emerging from EOCO's offices, Wontumi proceeded directly to the office of the Vice President and NPP's 2024 presidential flagbearer, Dr. Bawumia. The meeting, described by party sources as "solidarity" and "consultative," lasted approximately an hour. While the exact details of their private discussion were not made public, the optics were powerful.
The swift visit is widely interpreted as a strong signal of unity within the NPP's upper echelons, particularly crucial as the party gears up for the December elections. Wontumi is a pivotal figure in the party's stronghold of Ashanti Region, often regarded as a key kingmaker and mobilizer. His brief detention had caused ripples of concern among party supporters.
Dr. Bawumia's reception of Wontumi immediately after his release sends a clear message of support to the party base. It aims to quell any potential unrest, reassure supporters of the Chairman's standing, and project an image of a leadership firmly behind its key regional operatives despite external pressures. Photographs from the meeting, showing the two men in conversation, quickly circulated on social media, reinforcing this narrative.
NPP spokespersons emphasized the routine nature of the meeting, framing it as part of ongoing consultations between the flagbearer and party officials. They downplayed the EOCO investigation, urging respect for due process while expressing confidence in Wontumi's cooperation.
However, opposition figures and skeptics dismissed the meeting as political theater, arguing it demonstrates the ruling party's attempt to shield prominent figures from scrutiny. They continue to call for a thorough and impartial investigation into the serious allegations surrounding illegal mining, a persistent challenge for Ghana.
Regardless of interpretation, Chairman Wontumi's immediate post-release meeting with Dr. Bawumia underscores his significant stature within the NPP and highlights the intense political undercurrents as Ghana moves closer to a pivotal electoral contest. It reinforces the delicate balance between legal accountability and the demands of high-stakes political mobilization.
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