Manhyia gives NPP a one-week ultimatum to produce Chairman Wontumi even if he is on a sick bed

 

The Manhyia Palace has demanded that the Ashanti regional chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also referred to as Chairman Wontumi, be produced by the party within a week.

Wontumi was dragged to the Asantehene’s seat after it was purported that he made offensive remarks about the stool.

Along with the party’s national organizer, Henry Nana Boakye, and a few regional executives, the NPP’s general secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, made an appearance before the Asanteman Council to plead on Wontumi’s behalf.

Notably absent from the gathering was Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the beleaguered NPP Chairman, who Mr. Kodua claimed was unwell.

“Nananom, we could not come with Chairman Wontumi because he has not been well,” he said.

However, some of the chiefs found the excuse to be irritating.

Nana Kwaku Owusu, one of Otumfuo’s principal linguists, asked to see a copy of his medical records, saying, “If you say Wontumi is ill, where is his medical record?”

Nana Kofi Owusu also told the leadership of the ruling party to make Wontumi available by next week.

“Wontumi should be produced here by next week even if he is on sick bed,” he demanded.

Since Kodua Frimpong was unable to produce the aforementioned medical report, he begged for forgiveness.

At a press conference before the meeting with the Council, General Secretary Koduah Frimpong had cautioned the party faithful not to meddle in matters about the traditional authority, especially Manhyia.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining the long-standing relationship between Manhyia Palace and the NPP.

“NPP holds undiluted absolute respect for Otumfuo and Nananom,” Mr Kodua told the press.

He also urged party supporters to refrain from sensitive comments that will affect the party in the long run.

“New Patriotic Party, our history has been shaped, our history has been formed, our history has been supported by Asanteman and the good people of Ashanti Region, and as a party, we hold extreme undiluted, absolute respect for Asanteman, particularly, his majesty our king and Nananon. So please, I will use this platform to caution the rank and file of our party to desist from making any commentary, whether through media or social media and whatever means of communication, to desist from making any sensitive comments regarding Nananom, particularly his majesty and the party,” he said.

Background of Chairman Wontumi’s Alleged Disrespect Comment.

Misunderstanding between the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, and the Manhyia South constituency Organiser, Abouba, escalated on January 3, 2024, after the vetting of the Energy Minister who doubles as the lawmaker for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh.

Wontumi is alleged to have made some comments that did not go well with Manhyia.