The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on party executives in the Western Region to prioritise competence and strategic leadership over fluency in English in the selection of the party’s next national chairman.
Addressing party executives and supporters in the region, the three-time Ashanti Regional Chairman said the current political climate demands a leader who reflects the party’s aspirations and hunger to reclaim power in the 2028 general elections.
“This election is not for the good English but for those who are tried and tested as grassroots working men,” he stated. “We need someone popular, ready to work, and committed to delivering victory for the party.”
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Chairman Wontumi urged party members to assess leaders based on performance rather than academic credentials.
“Don’t judge me based on my certificate but on my competency and what I can do for the growth of the party,” he said.
He stressed that the NPP must now be handed over to individuals who have demonstrated political wisdom and dedication over the years, and not those who can speak big English.
“At this critical moment, when hopelessness and loss of direction are rising, what we can offer Ghanaians is hope and reassurance,” he noted, adding, “I’m built for the battle ahead.”
According to him, his years of service as a two-term constituency chairman and an unprecedented three-term Ashanti Regional Chairman have prepared him adequately for national leadership.
“I will not compromise on anything that will reduce the attraction of the party to voters,” he assured.
Explaining his ambition further, Chairman Wontumi said the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had strengthened his resolve to work harder for the party’s comeback.
“What I went through after our defeat has emboldened me to join you and work together to make Mahamudu Bawumia the next president in 2028,” he said.
He outlined his vision for the party’s leadership structure, emphasising grassroots mobilisation.
“As national chairman, my work will be in the constituencies. The General Secretary will manage the headquarters, but my focus will be on the people, ensuring we secure every vote,” he explained.
Earlier, the Western Regional Chairman of the NPP, Nana Francis Ndede Siah, described Wontumi as a genuine grassroots leader who deserves maximum support.
He noted that Chairman Wontumi’s energy, loyalty, and commitment make him a strong candidate to lead the party into the next electoral contest.