NPP has no leadership – Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe
A founding member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has openly criticised the party’s current leadership for what he describes as “a complete lack of direction and backbone” in handling the arrest and detention of the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Speaking passionately on JoyNews on Friday, the outspoken elder of the party said the NPP’s national executives have disappointed the rank and file of the party by remaining silent and doing little to support Wontumi after his sudden arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
In Dr. Tamakloe’s words, “As things stand now, the NPP has no leadership. We are just drifting. Nobody is showing firm control or speaking up. It’s a disgrace.”
Why Was Chairman Wontumi Arrested?
On Wednesday, Chairman Wontumi was picked up by officials from EOCO over allegations linked to financial irregularities, believed to involve dealings with COCOBOD and suspected illegal mining operations (galamsey).
He was later granted bail to the tune of GH₵50 million, with two sureties — but these sureties are to be justified, which means EOCO wants evidence that the people standing in for him are financially capable of paying the bail if he fails to appear in court.
As of now, Wontumi remains in custody, unable to meet those tough bail conditions. He has since been transferred to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) headquarters for further investigations.
Dr. Tamakloe: The Party Is Sleeping
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe is not new to controversies, but this time, his sharp criticism has touched raw nerves within the NPP.
He asked why no national party official — including the National Chairman, General Secretary, or flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia — has spoken strongly to defend or support Wontumi in public.
“The silence from our party leaders is deafening. It shows we lack leadership. If someone like Wontumi, who has served and sacrificed for this party, can be treated like this without any strong voice speaking for him, then we are in big trouble,” he stressed.
According to Dr. Tamakloe, the NPP is not what it used to be. He believes internal factions, infighting, and lack of clear leadership are destroying the unity that once made the party strong.
A Divided Party?
His remarks have sparked debate across the political space, especially at a time when tensions are rising within the NPP.
Some believe Wontumi’s arrest is just law taking its course, and that no one should be above the law, regardless of political connections.
Even Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, a respected traditional ruler who often speaks on national issues, has urged Ghanaians to allow due process to work. Speaking from his palace, he said:
“If the man is innocent, the courts will prove it. Let’s not make noise and politicise everything. The law must work.”
But others — especially Wontumi loyalists — argue that this is a carefully planned political attack, possibly from within the NPP itself. Some have suggested that powerful people in the party want to cut Wontumi down to size because of his growing influence and outspoken nature.
Where Is the Leadership?
Dr. Tamakloe’s concern seems to reflect a deeper frustration felt by many party faithful who believe the NPP has become too quiet, too slow, and too afraid to stand up when its own people are in trouble.
He warned that the party risks falling apart if this kind of leadership vacuum continues. To him, if people like Wontumi — who helped build the party’s presence in the Ashanti Region — can be left alone in a time of crisis, no member is safe.
“When a party loses the courage to protect its own, it starts to crumble. We cannot watch and remain quiet while the opposition and state institutions take down our people one by one,” he said.