Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) national chairman race, saying his decision is intended to prevent his personal circumstances from becoming a burden on the party.
The immediate past Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP announced his decision after what he described as careful consideration, prayer, consultations and sober reflection.
In a statement signed by Ewuradjoa Coleman, Director of Communications and Media for his campaign, Chairman Wontumi said he had consulted his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters before arriving at the decision.
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“After many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with my family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, I have come to the difficult conclusion that my present circumstances must not become an additional burden on the New Patriotic Party,” he stated.
Chairman Wontumi said withdrawing from the NPP national chairman race is not the decision he had hoped to make, but he believed it was necessary to protect the party he deeply loves.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want to protect what we love even more,” he said.
He reflected on his years of service to the NPP, stressing that his commitment to the party went beyond personal political ambitions.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me. I have walked through the heat and the rain, travelled to the remotest communities and stood with our grassroots in both victory and defeat,” Chairman Wontumi stated.
He said he had fought for the party with his “voice, strength, resources and entire heart.”
“The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he added.
Chairman Wontumi explained that his decision is driven by a desire to prevent his personal circumstances from distracting the NPP as the party works to rebuild following its electoral defeat.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding,” he said.
“I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me.”
His withdrawal removes one of the high-profile contenders from the contest for the NPP national chairmanship.
Despite withdrawing from the race, Chairman Wontumi urged his supporters to remain committed to the NPP and not allow disappointment over his decision to affect their support for the party.
He acknowledged that some supporters may feel hurt, disappointed or angry over developments surrounding his situation.
“I do not want my personal circumstances to become a source of distraction, division or burden to the NPP,” he said.
“No individual is bigger than the New Patriotic Party; not even me.”
Chairman Wontumi appealed directly to his supporters to continue supporting the party despite his withdrawal.
“I know many of you are hurt. I know some are disappointed and angry about what has happened to me. But I beg you from the depths of my heart: do not allow your pain over my situation to weaken your love for the NPP,” he pleaded.
The decision by Chairman Wontumi to withdraw from the NPP national chairman contest is likely to reshape the race as the party prepares for its national executive elections.
His withdrawal also underscores his stated commitment to putting the interests of the NPP ahead of his personal political ambition.
For Chairman Wontumi, the immediate priority is now the party’s rebuilding process and preparations for the political battles ahead.
