Incarcerated New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman hopeful Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has picked up nomination forms to contest the party’s National Chairman position.
The development was confirmed by Ewuradwoa Coleman, Communications Director of Mr Boasiako’s campaign team.
“Yes indeed, the campaign team has picked up forms on behalf of Chairman Wontumi. We are continuing his bid in the National Chairmanship race,” she told Joy News in an interview.
Mr Boasiako is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after an Accra High Court found him guilty of charges linked to illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, convicted him of offences including assigning mineral rights without the required ministerial approval and purposely facilitating unlicensed mining operations.
The sentences imposed on the separate counts are running concurrently, resulting in an effective 20-year term.
The court also imposed a fine of GH¢120,000, with a three-year default prison term if the fine is not paid. The default sentence is to run concurrently with the 20-year custodial term.
Mr Boasiako has, however, challenged the conviction and sentence. His lawyers filed an application seeking bail pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.
Despite his incarceration and ongoing legal proceedings, his campaign team has proceeded with his bid for the NPP National Chairman position by obtaining the nomination forms.
The move sets up an unusual leadership contest as the party prepares for its national executive elections, with Mr Boasiako seeking to transition from his position from Ashanti Regional Chairman to the national chairmanship.
