The Manhyia Palace is demanding the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to produce its Ashanti regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, a.k.a. Wontumi, in one week.
Wontumi has been dragged to the seat of the Asantehene for allegedly passing unsavoury comments against the stool.
General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong appeared before the Asanteman Council together with the National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, as well as some regional executives of the party to plead on behalf of Wontumi.
Conspicously missing at the meeting was Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the embattled NPP Chairman who according to Mr Kodua was indisposed.
“Nananom, we could not come with Chairman Wontumi because he has not been well,” he said.
But, the excuse did not sit well with some of the chiefs.
For instance, one of Otumfuo’s chief linguists, Nana Kwaku Owusu, demanded for a medical report of him “if you claim Wontumi is sick, where is his doctor’s report?”
Nana Kofi Owusu also told leadership of the ruling party to make Wontumi available by next week.
“Wontumi should be produced here by next week even if he is on sick bed,” he demanded.
Troubled Kodua Frimpong pleaded for clemency as he was unable to present the said medical report.
Prior to the meeting with the Council, General Secretary Koduah Frimpong had warned the party faithful at a press conference not to meddle in affairs of the traditional authority.
He stressed the long standing relationship between the NPP and Manhyia Palace, emphasising the need not to get the affinity broken.
“NPP holds undiluted absolute respect for Otumfuo and Nananom,” Mr Kodua told the press.
He also urged party supporters to refrain from sensitive comments which will affect the party in the long run.
“…New Patriotic Party, our history has been shaped, our history has been formed, our history has been supported by Asanteman and the good people of Ashanti Region, and as a party we hold extreme undiluted, absolute respect for Asanteman, particularly, his majesty our king and Nananon. So please, I will use this platform to caution the rank and file of our party to desist from making any commentary, whether through media or social media and whatever means of communication, to desist from making any sensitive comments regarding Nananom, particularly his majesty and the party,” he said.
Misunderstanding between the Ashanti regional Chairman of the ruling party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako and the Manhyia South constituency Organiser, Abouba, escalated on January 3, 2024, after the vetting of the Energy Minister who doubles as the lawmaker for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh.
Wontumi is alleged to have made some comments which did not go well with Manhyia.
