A few days after the shocking demise of the deputy minister for finance, John Ampontuah Kumah, sensitive comments have been made, alleging that he may have been poisoned.
Following such statements, the widow, Apostle Lilian Kumah, has officially filed a complaint with the police to probe the allegation and unravel any mystery surrounding his death.
Amidst the grief, the wife of the late Ejisu Legislator beseeched the Accra Central Police Headquarters to file a complaint against Captain Smart, a radio and TV presenter with Media General.
She wants the Ghana Police Service to initiate investigations into the statement made by the journalist and push him to substantiate his claims to put an end to what have been described as wild allegations.
CLAIMS
Following the passing of John Kumah, who was reportedly being considered as a running mate, a video resurfaced of Captain Smart, making some chilling statements insinuating that the late Ejisu MP had been allegedly poisoned.
Social media was abuzz with video excerpts of Captain Smart alleging deliberate poisoning of the late Member of Parliament for Ejisu, John Kumah.
Captain Smart suggested in the weeks-old clip that some politicians and businessmen orchestrated the poisoning, out of fear of John Kumah rising to the top in his political career.
He said that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, was poisoned together with John Kumah, but was lucky to have survived after treatment.
He said, “John Kumah met with some high people. The plan was that where John Kumah was rising to, he might rise to a level where no one could stop him. Listen well. Pick up your phone and call Chairman Wontumi and ask him if he did not eat that food. So, when those following Dr. John Kumah realised that Wontumi was reacting to that food poisoning, they thought John Kumah was okay.
“So, John Kumah, he was intentionally poisoned. And he is aware… I can tell you the date and time John Kumah travelled to India. What was he going to do in India? He went for medical treatment. He has really suffered,” Captain Smart said.
GUINEA FOWL
On Friday, March 8, 2024 a journalist with Wontumi TV, called Oheneba, also revealed on that platform that the alleged poisoning occurred in Tamale, ahead of the flagbearership contest.
He claimed he was with chairman Wontumi and John Kumah when, after one of their rounds, a cooked guinea fowl was brought to the two, which they ate.
According to him, he could not tell whether the guinea fowl meat was served by the hotel or brought from outside. He also said that a complaint was lodged at the hotel to investigate the allegation, but no information came after months of the incident.
He narrated that the following morning, after the meat was brought, he woke up to several missed calls from his boss, Wontumi, whose room in the hotel was next to John Kumah.
He added that, when he set off to his boss’ room that morning, it was to check whether his boss would wear a shirt that may need ironing, so he could do that for him.
However, he returned the missed call on his way, but there was no answer. Upon reaching the door and knocking, it took several minutes for Wontumi to open.
He said his boss was in boxer shorts and had vomited on his bed and in the washroom, a scene that prompted him to call for an ambulance.
Wontumi was rushed to the hospital and treated for food poisoning, but John Kumah, who did not show any signs, was not.
Speaking in the Akan language, Oheneba was very confident that his boss, Wontumi, was the target of the food poisoning, but John Kumah only fell for it.
EVENTS LEADING TO HIS DEATH
In an interview with JoyNews, the spokesperson for the late MP, Bismark Owusu Twumasi, narrated events leading to the demise of his boss.
He revealed that Mr. Kumah was expected to be present at the 67th Independence Day celebration in Koforidua, which was held a day before he passed. But unfortunately, he was unable to attend due to ill health.
The spokesperson explained that upon recognising the urgency of the situation, they contacted one of his doctors from Accra and medication was administered.
Twumasi continued that they then planned to fly the deceased to Accra for further arrangements and to send him to Germany for advanced treatment.
“Unfortunately, he was not fit to board a flight, so his wife came. The mom and dad were around, so we decided to bring an ambulance to take him to Accra. His senior brother was also on standby, doing everything possible to make sure that he travelled that night,” he said.
Mr. Twumasi emphasised that despite the family’s efforts, the situation worsened on their way, prompting a diversion to the Suhum Government Hospital, where he eventually succumbed to death.
Several tributes have since emanated from different quarters, including from the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Bawumia, MPs, the NPP, the Ministry of Finance and the general public.
