The Ashanti Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, alias Chairman Wontumi, has incurred the wrath of members of the Ashanti Youth, Market Queens and traders in Kumasi.
They are jointly calling for the banning of the party chairman from entering Manhyia Palace and any other palace in the Ashanti region.
They are angry with Chairman Wontumi, the self-styled ‘Governor’ of Ashanti, for allegedly making disparaging remarks about the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Chairman Wontumi is said to have said at the NPP parliamentary primaries vetting recently that he would challenge Otumfuo on any issue if he (Wontumi) disagreed with the Asante King.
In the heated argument with Otumfuo’s Brempon, Nana Kwaku Duah, who is Chief of Kokoso, which put the vetting process on hold for about 30 minutes, the outspoken NPP Chairman allegedly stated that he has created his empire in Ashanti region and had his own police and military and, therefore, could “speak his mind to Otumfuo if he disagreed on an issue with him (Otumfuo)”.
Mr. Antwi Boasiako has since denied challenging Otumfuo’s authority and alleged claims of building his kingdom in the Ashanti region in a voice audio.
Mr. Amaning Kwarteng, Spokesperson of the group, at a press conference in Kumasi, yesterday, however, appealed to Manhyia Palace to ban Chairman Wontumi from entering the Palace until he has rendered an unqualified apology to the Asantehene and Asanteman.
They also called on all paramount chiefs and sub Chiefs who pay allegiance to the Golden Stool not to give audience to Chairman Wontumi at the various palaces for the grossly disrespecting the Golden Stool.
The angry youth cautioned that Ashanti Kingdom is bigger than the New Patriotic Party and that as the regional chairman, Wontumi is no bigger either, describing him as arrogant. They also called for the resignation of Wontumi as party chairman in the region to consolidate the electoral fortunes of the party.
The Ashanti Youth, supported by market Queens and traders also cautioned government officials and party executives not to include Chairman Wontumi to join their entourage to visit the Manhyia Palace.
The youth group thanked Nana Kwadu Duah, Kokosohene, for exposing Wontumi’s alleged ill remarks.
Meanwhile, the governing New Patriotic Party National executives are planning to meet the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in person to have the matter resolved.
