The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has expressed strong confidence in the party’s success in the upcoming elections. As the campaign manager in the region, he has promised an 85% win, attributing his past successes and determination as key factors.
His promise comes at the back of the running mate to the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s claim that the NPP is targeting 85 percent votes in the Ashanti Region in the December 7 presidential election. According to Chairman Wontumi, his strategic leadership and past achievements make him a “miracle worker” capable of delivering this ambitious target.
“The NPP will secure 85% of the votes from the Ashanti Region. As the campaign manager, I assure you of this. I am a miracle worker, I took over the party when it was in opposition and led it to victory,” he asserted confidently to Nana Yaa Brefo, host of Yen Nsempa on Onua FM on July 15.
Addressing continuous assertions by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former President John Mahama claiming ownership of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, Chairman Wontumi vehemently denied their claims. He described them as “blatant lies” and an attempt to usurp the achievements of President Akufo-Addo and the NPP.
Using a vivid analogy, Chairman Wontumi illustrated his point: “If a man says he will build a house, says it with his mouth that he will build a house and he doesn’t build it, but his child builds it, will you say the man built the house?” He argued that Mahama’s claims lack credibility, emphasizing that it was Akufo-Addo who successfully implemented the Free SHS policy, not Mahama.
Chairman Wontumi questioned Mahama’s inability to introduce the Free SHS policy during his tenure, despite favorable conditions such as abundant oil resources and the absence of a global pandemic like COVID-19. “He didn’t encounter COVID-19, so why couldn’t he do it?” Wontumi questioned.
He praised President Akufo-Addo’s efforts, noting that despite numerous challenges, Akufo-Addo made significant strides, including covering the cost of water and electricity bills for Ghanaians during the pandemic.
“With all the challenges Akufo-Addo faced, he is the only President who covered the cost for Ghanaians’ water and electricity bills. In the history of Ghana, he is the only person to have done this,” Chairman Wontumi highlighted.
He further criticized Mahama’s contradictory stance, noting the irony that Mahama himself benefitted from free education but did not extend the same to Ghanaians during his presidency. “Mahama did not introduce the Free SHS policy, so we shouldn’t propagate lies. Ghanaians have the right to the truth,” he said.
By: Lois Dogbe
