Audio By Carbonatix
The Minority Caucus in Parliament made a swift return to the House on Friday, 30 May 2025, following a brief boycott in protest of the bail conditions imposed on Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Wontumi was arrested on Tuesday, 27 May, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and later granted bail set at GH₵50 million—an amount the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its allies have condemned as excessive and politically motivated.
On Thursday, 29 May, Minority MPs walked out of Parliament in protest, led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who described the bail terms as unfair. “We are not going to ask for any property. We don’t have GH₵50 million. Where is he going to get it from? They must do the right thing, and we will not be part of any proceeding until then,” he told Parliament before exiting the chamber.
He further pledged unwavering support for Wontumi, saying, “We will stand with him. If it means we have to spend nights with him, we will do so.”
However, in a notable turn of events, members of the Minority Caucus were present in the House the next day, actively participating in proceedings. While the reasons for the reversal were not officially stated, it hints at possible behind-the-scenes engagements or assurances that helped to calm tensions.
Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed on Thursday via his official Facebook account that Chairman Wontumi is being investigated for several serious offences. These include fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.
“Suspect Bernard Antwi Boasiako, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, is under investigation for various criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the State, and money laundering,” the Deputy Attorney General stated, adding that EOCO is spearheading the probe and has commenced asset recovery efforts related to suspected proceeds of crime.
Latest Stories
-
All six members of MPC voted to keep policy rate at 14%
6 seconds -
Universities must stop selling degrees and start selling purpose
2 minutes -
GRIDCo begins restoration after early morning power system disturbance hits national grid
11 minutes -
24-hour economy policy was for propaganda, NDC has abandoned it – Oforikrom MP
17 minutes -
Gender Minister consoles families, survivors of Bukom tragedy
29 minutes -
Private partners beware; you have no parliamentary cover yet – Oppong Nkrumah
44 minutes -
Parliament cannot sign blank cheques – Oppong Nkrumah on multi-year tax deal
1 hour -
No cost, no contractor, no timeline – Minority caucus rejects fiscal electronic devices approval
1 hour -
At least 14 killed in attack in Nigeria’s Benue state, local officials say
2 hours -
Cocoa farmers could lose guaranteed prices under new law – Oppong Nkrumah
2 hours -
New cocoa pricing formula will leave farmers worse off – Oppong Nkrumah warns
2 hours -
‘Don’t rush this law’ – Oppong Nkrumah demands farmers be heard before Cocoa Bill is passed
2 hours -
Murder suspect dies in hospital after leading police to alleged burial site
3 hours -
Oil rises as US-Iran tension escalates after Iraq strikes, missile attack
3 hours -
Trump says meetings with Zelensky and Netanyahu were positive
3 hours