Bernard Antwi Boasiako is the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has made headlines on social media following his reported illness after undergoing hours-long interrogation at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on May 27, 2025.
Details surrounding his illness and where he is receiving treatment are yet to be known, but his legal counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has confirmed his admission.
The outcome of events from Wontumi’s arrest and his subsequent admission to the hospital appears to have sparked differing reactions on social media among Ghanaian netizens, causing him to trend on X.
Some netizens have expressed their support for the arrest of Wontumi on grounds of alleged illegal mining activities through his company, Akonta mining.
He has been accused of mining in Nimri forest reserve, causing significant destruction to the country’s resources, including land and water bodies.
On the other hand, others have slammed and criticised party supporters who massed up to protest the arrest of Wontumi at the EOCO premises, demanding his release.
Some protesters were captured in a video footage assaulting a media reporter in the process.
Media reports indicates that some of the protestors also burnt tyres at the site but it was swiftly extinguished by the police.
Netizens argue that such actions undermine accountability and raise concerns about the negative impact on efforts to combat corruption.
They believe that these behaviours encourage corrupt practices, particularly when carried out by politically exposed individuals.
Meanwhile, others have mounted strong support for Chairman Wontumi, calling for his release and accused the state of witch-hunting him for what they believe to be no wrongdoing.
Read some of the posts below under the trending topic:
Before you go to EOCO to chant for Wontumi: pic.twitter.com/L2z8OhIBs5
— 𝐍𝐚𝐭 𝐆. 𝐓𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐡 🇬🇭 (@NatGTetteh) May 28, 2025
Wontumi is faking sickness in order to escape speaking English in court😂 😂 😂 pic.twitter.com/wV62ydzDKJ
— Frederick (@UTDFrederick) May 28, 2025
chale if you hear Chairman Wontumi’s alleged crimes, you won’t feel pity for him.
— EL-DAD (@ChristDeKing) May 27, 2025
Only in Africa do the very people get used to shielding politicians who exploit them. If Chairman Wontumi is found culpable for mining in a forest reserve, he must face the law — no party colours, no noise, no tyre burning can change that.
— Frederick (@UTDFrederick) May 28, 2025
Do you Chairman Wontumi has sued the government in a court of competent jurisdiction to come prove where he is doing the galamsey….
They did this in 2013 and lost awfully, they paid judgement debt to Wontumi and it’ll happen again…
Qnet government….
Scammers in govt…. pic.twitter.com/cmZ5lJ9tC8— DANQUAH-BUSIA-DOMBO TRADITION 🟢🟡⚫️ (@sonofjacob98) May 28, 2025
So you all went home to sleep leaving wontumi and EOCO officers at the hospital right??
Nipa y3 forkin 🥴
— Muhammad Yaasiin (@Hajjyass70) May 28, 2025
wontumi drive corvette go the EOCO there make ein supporters too fight troski mate come reach grounds, win win
— dracojeremy🔫 (@jeremyb___) May 27, 2025
Honestly, Chairman Wontumi deserves every sh!t he’s facing .
His behavior toward de Vice President is deeply disrespectful and should be strongly condemned.
Such conduct is unacceptable and must not be tolerated in our political discourse.
Infact,mek dem jail am ah 🤦🏿♂️ pic.twitter.com/Z3jP1wzUet
— K.20(Old Timez) (@Ktwentty) May 28, 2025
How kumasi people root de3 if EOCO no release chairman wontumi aa dem fit turn Ghana into Rwanda war o 😂😂
— B4BERLYN 𓃵 (@B4B_1) May 28, 2025
Galamsey needs to Stop. Period! All politicians are involved. We need to call out everyone involved, not just point fingers at one person & one political party. You can’t tell me only Chairman wontumi & the NPP are the only people doing galamsey in this country. Let’s be honest.
— CLINTMARS ✨🇬🇭 (@_MusicFreakgh) May 28, 2025
The forests and river bodies are demanding justice from Chairman Wontumi.
Is either he helps restore the natural forest cover and the rivers to its normal state or better still – face the full rigours of the law.
— I come in Peace 🇬🇭 (@fav_nurse2) May 28, 2025
I can’t believe we’re even politicizing Wontumi’s arrest over Galamsey. Are we okay in this country at all? Ei, is this really the Ghana we have to accept? I woke up today very angry. I just don’t get it!
— BhimBrown (@mzbrownwrites) May 28, 2025
lmao them wan use Wontumi take fans from Ghanaians. he for face the law true but is he the only person doing galamsey here??? does arresting Wontumi end galamsey? where’s the ban on mining in forest reserves? bro Wontumi is just a decoy to obstruct us from the bigger picture
— RJ (@rapjunkie_) May 28, 2025
MAG/VPO
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