Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has denied disrespecting the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Asante Kingdom when screening NPP parliamentary candidates in the area.
Chairman Wontumi is said to have made some filthy remarks regarding the Asantehene.
Nana Kwaku Duah, Chief of Kokoso and Obremponhene of Otumfuo, is said to have filed the official complaint with the Kumasi Traditional Council, as is Manhyia South NPP Constituency Chairman Ofori Attah Tom-tom.
Chairman Wontumi, speaking on Wontumi Radio, dismissed the claims against him as baseless.
“I have a lot of respect for the Asantehene and the Asante Kingdom and will never do anything to run this kingdom down, never. All these allegations are not true; they are pure lies. I cannot do that. Anybody who wishes to lie can do it,” he said.
The Kumasi Traditional Council on January 22 summoned Bernard Antwi Boasiako over the alleged derogatory remarks he made against the Asantehene.
The Council asked the leadership of the NPP to ensure Mr. Boasiko appears before it next week Monday to answer questions on comments he reportedly made during the vetting of parliamentary aspirants in Manhyia South.
General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, and the party’s National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye, led some regional party officers to the Manhyia Palace over the issue.
The NPP General Secretary told members of the Council that Chairman Wontumi is currently unwell and pleaded with the Council to give the party two weeks to get Wontumi to honor the invite.
There is outrage among members of the council, made up of the clan of the Ashanti Kingdom, as they expressed disgust over alleged remarks by Chairman Wontumi.
Some Chiefs asserted that Chairman Wontumi must appear before the Council, even if he will come in a wheelchair.
