The Minority Caucus in Parliament made a surprising return to the House on Friday, May 30, 2025, ending a brief boycott that stemmed from the GHC50 million bail condition imposed on the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Wontumi, who has been in custody since Tuesday, May 27, following his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), was granted bail under conditions the NPP described as excessively stringent and politically motivated. The hefty bail amount sparked outrage within the party and its parliamentary caucus.
On Thursday, May 29, Minority MPs staged a walkout in protest against EOCO’s handling of the case, with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin vocally condemning the bail conditions and signaling the caucus’s withdrawal from parliamentary business until the issue was resolved.
“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, who is also the MP for Effutu, declared on the parliamentary floor before leading the protest.
He further pledged 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 firm stance, members of the Minority Caucus were present in Parliament on Friday to participate in the day’s proceedings, signaling a de-escalation in tensions after the dramatic events of the previous day.
While the exact reasons behind the caucus’s return were not immediately disclosed, the move suggested behind-the-scenes negotiations or reassurances that helped ease the standoff.
On Thursday, May 29, Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed that Chairman Wontumi, is currently under investigation for a series of serious criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Justice Srem-Sai disclosed that the ongoing investigation is being handled by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with asset recovery efforts already underway to secure suspected proceeds of crime.
“Suspect BERNARD ANTWI BOASIAKO, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, is under investigation for various criminal offences (including fraud, causing financial loss to the State, and money laundering),” the Deputy Attorney General stated.