Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has led a delegation of senior party officials to visit the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison in the Eastern Region.
The visit follows Wontumi’s recent conviction and sentencing to 20 years in prison with hard labour after he was found guilty of offences linked to illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The case has attracted widespread public attention and sparked discussions within political circles.
Among those who accompanied Dr. Bawumia were former NPP National Chairman Freddie Blay, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Member of Parliament for Mampong Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, and several other leading figures of the party.
Their presence was seen as a strong show of solidarity with the Ashanti Regional Chairman during what the party describes as a difficult period.
Security at the prison was heightened ahead of the delegation’s arrival, with officers ensuring strict access control throughout the visit.
Although Chairman Wontumi appeared calm while interacting with the visitors, observers noted that he looked visibly stressed following his imprisonment.
The NPP leadership has continued to express its support for Wontumi since the court delivered its judgment. Party officials have maintained that they respect the judicial process but remain hopeful that the conviction will be overturned through the legal process.
According to party leaders, Wontumi’s lawyers are preparing to challenge both the conviction and the sentence at the Court of Appeal. They believe there are legal grounds that could result in a review of the case.
The visit by Dr. Bawumia and the senior party executives is expected to reassure party supporters, particularly in the Ashanti Region, where Wontumi has played a significant role in the NPP’s political activities over the years.
