General News
Bernard Antwi-Boasiako Withdraws from NPP National Elections, Calls for Unity Behind Bawumia
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has announced his decision to withdraw from the party’s upcoming national elections.
In a statement dated August 24, 2026, Chairman Wontumi said the decision followed several nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters.
He described the decision as painful, saying his personal circumstances should not become an additional burden on the NPP at a time when the party is working to rebuild following its electoral defeat.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice,” he said, adding that he had reached a point where he had to put aside his personal ambition to protect the party he considers his political family.
According to Chairman Wontumi, his decision was not motivated by a loss of interest in the NPP or its cause. Rather, he said he did not want his current situation to distract the party from what he described as the difficult work of rebuilding and preparing for the political battle ahead.
He recalled his years of service to the party, saying he had travelled to remote communities and stood with the NPP’s grassroots supporters in both victory and defeat.
He said he had served the party with his voice, strength, resources and entire heart, describing the NPP as more than a political organisation to him.
“The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
Chairman Wontumi acknowledged the disappointment his withdrawal could cause among his supporters across all 16 regions.
He said many supporters had opened their homes and hearts to him, travelled long distances to meet him and continued to support him even during difficult and dangerous periods.
He also acknowledged supporters who, according to him, had cried, fasted and prayed for him, as well as those who had endured ridicule, intimidation and personal attacks because of their belief in him.
He assured them that he remained aware of their support and prayers, saying his current circumstances could restrict his physical movement but could not sever his connection with them or weaken his faith in God.
Wontumi also expressed gratitude to his campaign team, coordinators, constituency and regional executives, Members of Parliament, former government appointees, communicators, electoral-area coordinators, polling-station executives, youth and women’s groups, volunteer movements and members of the diaspora.
He said their sacrifices, encouragement and prayers would remain with him.
Despite withdrawing from the NPP national elections, Chairman Wontumi insisted that his decision should not be interpreted as surrender.
He maintained that he remained committed to the pursuit of truth and justice and said he continued to believe that justice would prevail at the appointed time.
“I have not surrendered, and I will never surrender in the pursuit of truth and justice,” he said.
He explained that his decision was intended to prevent his personal circumstances from becoming a source of distraction, division or additional pressure on the NPP.
He further reminded his supporters that no individual, including himself, was bigger than the party.
Chairman Wontumi appealed to his supporters not to allow their disappointment over his situation to affect their commitment to the NPP.
He specifically urged them not to insult anyone in his name, attack any aspirant because of him or abandon the party because he was going through what he described as a difficult season.
“If you truly love me, then remain loyal to the tradition I have spent my life serving,” he said.
A major part of Chairman Wontumi’s message was his appeal to NPP supporters to remain firmly behind the party’s leader, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
He said Dr Bawumia needed the prayers, loyalty and total support of party members as he worked to rebuild the NPP.
According to him, the party’s leader could not rebuild the organisation alone and would require the collective efforts of constituencies, polling-station executives, communicators, young people and other committed members of the party.
He therefore urged NPP members to put aside bitterness and close their ranks to create a united, disciplined and formidable party capable of returning to power.
“Whatever pain we feel today must never be allowed to destroy the greater battle ahead,” he said.
Chairman Wontumi said his withdrawal represents only one chapter in his life and not the end of his political journey.
He thanked those who had stood by him and prayed for him, while also saying he held no bitterness towards people who disagreed with him.
He reaffirmed his loyalty and continued service to the NPP, describing his withdrawal as a painful pause rather than a goodbye.
“This is not goodbye. It is not the end of the journey. It is only a painful pause in a much greater story that God Himself is still writing,” he stated.
He encouraged his supporters to remain strong, united and loyal to the NPP and to continue supporting Dr Bawumia.
Chairman Wontumi concluded by saying that although his body may be confined, his heart remains with his supporters and the party.
He expressed hope that, if it was the will of God, he would meet his supporters again “not in sorrow, but in joy; not in defeat, but in victory.”
“The battle is still the Lord’s,” he said.
The statement was signed on his behalf by Ewuradjoa Coleman, Director of Communications & Media.