NPP acting lawlessly by allowing Wontumi to pursue chairmanship – Rashid Tanko

Rashid Tanko, Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed concerns over the decision made by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, to pursue the National Chairmanship position of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) while he is serving a 20-year prison sentence. In an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story, Mr. Tanko described this situation as a manifestation of lawlessness within the NPP, questioning how someone serving a lengthy custodial sentence could aspire to lead a political party.

The campaign team of Mr. Boasiako has already taken steps to collect nomination forms on his behalf for the NPP National Chairmanship contest. The Communications Director of the Wontumi campaign team, Ewuradwoa Coleman, confirmed the team's continued support for Mr. Boasiako’s bid for the position. Mr. Boasiako, currently serving as the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, received a 20-year prison sentence from the Accra High Court for offenses related to illegal mining activities in the Western Region.

He has appealed against his conviction and sentence and is seeking bail while the appeal is being determined. The NPP’s 2025 amended and ratified Constitution has a specific clause addressing the eligibility of members convicted or sentenced by a court. According to Article 3 under “Disqualification of a Member,” a member is ineligible to hold office or contest elections if convicted and/or sentenced by a court for certain offenses.

Notably, Article 3(5)(1)(b)(ii) states that a member is disqualified if the offense is punishable by death or a sentence of not less than 10 years, unless 10 years have elapsed since the sentence was served or the member has received a full pardon. The same provision also disqualifies a member convicted and/or sentenced for offenses involving dishonesty, fraud, or moral turpitude.

Therefore, under the 2025 constitutional provision, Mr. Boasiako's current conviction and sentence create a direct eligibility issue that the NPP’s electoral authorities must address before allowing his candidature to proceed.