The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has ended its brief boycott, returning to the House on Friday after a day-long protest over the bail conditions imposed on Bernard Antwi Boasiako,
popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was granted bail with a GHC50 million bond by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), which the Minority deemed excessively stringent and politically motivated.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin had led the walkout on Thursday, condemning the bail conditions as unrealistic.
“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,” Afenyo-Markin declared on the parliamentary floor.
The Minority Leader further expressed solidarity with Chairman Wontumi, stating, “We will stand with him. If it means we have to spend nights with him, we will do so.” Despite this strong stance, the caucus returned to Parliament on Friday, suggesting possible behind-the-scenes negotiations or reassurances.
The development comes amid an ongoing investigation into Chairman Wontumi for alleged criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering, as confirmed by Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai.
The investigation is being handled by EOCO, with asset recovery efforts already underway.