Tension rises in A/R: Chairman Wontumi to meet CID today after failed arrest attempt
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is set to appear before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service today, Monday, 26th May 2025.
This follows an unsuccessful attempt by security personnel to arrest him at his residence in Kumasi last Friday, a move that sparked widespread tension and public concern, especially among NPP supporters in the region.
What Happened on Friday?
On Friday, 23rd May, a combined team of National Security operatives and heavily armed police officers showed up at Chairman Wontumi’s private residence in the Ashanti Region, allegedly to carry out an arrest operation.
However, news of the attempted arrest quickly spread like wildfire across Kumasi, prompting hundreds of NPP supporters to rush to the scene. The situation grew tense, as the crowd massed up outside the house, chanting slogans and resisting the police presence.
Some supporters accused the police of trying to intimidate the party’s Ashanti Regional leadership, with others calling the move politically motivated.
One visibly angry supporter told a local radio station:
“Wontumi has served this party with his heart. If there is an issue, call him and he will come. Why send guns and surround his house like he’s a criminal?”
Why Was Wontumi Targeted?
As of now, the specific reason behind the attempted arrest has not been made public by the police or National Security. This lack of transparency has fueled speculation, especially on social media, where many are asking whether it is related to political tensions, ongoing party internal wranglings, or a criminal allegation.
Some political observers have linked the incident to deepening factionalism within the NPP, as the party begins internal preparations toward the 2028 general elections. Chairman Wontumi is known to be a vocal and influential figure within the party’s power structure, particularly in the Ashanti Region, which remains the NPP’s strongest base.
Wontumi Agrees to Cooperate
Despite the dramatic standoff, Chairman Wontumi reportedly assured the officers on the ground that he had no intention of evading justice.
According to sources close to the NPP regional leadership, he told the officers calmly that he would not resist any lawful process, and that he preferred to present himself voluntarily to the CID on Monday, 26th May, which is today.
His lawyers later confirmed this decision to the media.
Lawyer: “Wontumi Is Not a Fugitive”
Speaking to Citi News, Kwame Adom Appiah, one of Wontumi’s legal representatives, was confident that his client had done nothing wrong and would appear before the CID as promised.
He said:
“We are practising democracy. Wontumi is not someone who can hide from the cameras. He is not going to run away. He has investments in Ghana, and he is not going anywhere.
If the police or any security agency wants him, he will make himself available. We have not done anything criminal, and we are not afraid.”
His statement appears to have been aimed at calming down tensions among NPP supporters, many of whom feared their regional chairman was being targeted unfairly.
Government Reacts: Arrest Was Within the Law
Following the backlash from Friday’s operation, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, came out to defend the security agencies, stating that their actions were within the law.
He explained that while people had the right to ask questions, no one was above the law, and if the police needed to carry out an arrest or investigation, they must be allowed to do their work without interference.
“We understand the concerns of the public, but our security services operate within their legal mandate,” he said. “If they received lawful instructions to invite or arrest someone, they are expected to act. Nobody is above the law, whether NPP or NDC.”
Ashanti Region on Edge
The Ashanti Region, often referred to as the heartbeat of the NPP, is now on edge. Many grassroots supporters are waiting anxiously to see what will happen when Chairman Wontumi reports to the CID today.
Some political watchers believe this moment could deepen existing cracks within the NPP, especially if the case turns out to have internal political motivations.
Others are urging calm and encouraging party leadership to avoid fanning the flames of conflict, especially as the party prepares to rebuild its image after its 2024 electoral defeat.
NPP Leadership Yet to Comment
So far, the national leadership of the NPP has not issued an official statement on the attempted arrest or today’s CID meeting.
This silence has also raised eyebrows, with some suggesting that the party may be divided on how to handle the matter.
Will the national executives stand firmly with Wontumi, or will they distance themselves if legal issues begin to mount? That remains to be seen in the coming days.
What’s Next?
As Chairman Wontumi heads to the CID today, all eyes will be on what allegations, if any, are formally presented against him.
Will he be detained? Will he be charged? Or is this simply a misunderstanding that will be cleared quickly?
Whatever happens, this development is a major political moment — one that could shape internal party dynamics and regional political loyalties moving forward.
Conclusion: A Test of Democracy and Party Unity
This issue is not just about Chairman Wontumi. It is a test of:
How political parties handle internal disputes
How state security operates in politically sensitive situations
And how the public reacts when powerful figures are invited by the law
For now, Ghanaians will be watching closely to see how this story unfolds. And for NPP supporters, especially in the Ashanti Region, today could mark a defining moment in the future of their beloved Chairman Wontumi.