Bernard Antwi Boasiako Picks NPP Chairmanship Forms Amid 20-Year Prison Sentence and Constitutional Challenges

Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has officially entered the race for the National Chairmanship of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) despite his current incarceration. While serving a 20-year prison sentence for illegal mining activities, his campaign team picked up nomination forms on his behalf. This move has ignited intense legal and political scrutiny regarding his eligibility to lead the opposition party while behind bars.

The bid faces significant constitutional hurdles at both the party and national levels. Article 3 of the NPP’s 2025 constitution explicitly disqualifies any member sentenced to more than 10 years in prison from holding office. Furthermore, legal analysts point to Articles 55(8) and 94(2) of the 1992 Ghanaian Constitution, which collectively stipulate that individuals convicted of high crimes or serious offenses are barred from seeking executive positions within political parties. These provisions suggest that Boasiako’s conviction renders him legally ineligible to serve as a founding member or executive officer.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been quick to criticize the development. Rashid Tanko Computer, the NDC’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, described the NPP’s decision to allow Boasiako to pursue the chairmanship as a display of "lawlessness." Tanko argued that permitting a convicted individual to contest for such a high-ranking political office undermines the rule of law and the integrity of Ghana's democratic institutions, especially given the severity of the mining-related conviction.

As the NPP prepares for its internal elections, the feasibility of Boasiako's candidacy remains in doubt. Since his freedom of movement is legally restricted by his court-ordered conviction, attending mandatory vetting sessions at the NPP Headquarters would likely require special leave that legal experts argue would violate constitutional norms. While his legal team is currently pursuing an appeal against his conviction, the outcome of his candidacy will serve as a critical test of the NPP’s adherence to its own internal regulations and the national constitution.