Alleged disrespect to Otumfuo: Wontumi wanted at Manhyia today …NPP leaders rush to Kumasi

Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the Ashanti Region, Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka ‘Wontumi’ has been summoned to appear in person in the afternoon of today at the Manhyia Palace, seat of the Asantehene, the Monarch of the Ashanti Kingdom.

The summons is believed to be in relation with recent reports that Chairman Wontumi has made disreputable comments about the revered King and done so in the presence of some 40 witnesses.

Chairman Wotumi has denied the allegations.

If he appears, he is to face the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC), chaired by the Bantamahene, Baffuor Owusu Amankwatia.
Other top Ashanti chiefs, including the Saamanhene are expected to be at the gathering.

In what appears to be a rather rich coincidence, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justine Kodua Frimpong yesterday served notice that the Party would have a press conference in Kumasi this morning by 9 in the forenoon.

The exact reason for the press conference was not stated but there are reports that a number of heavyweights in the Party’s leadership started to arrive in the Ashanti Region from yesterday.

Barely a week ago, a coalition comprising the Asante Youth and Market Queens across the region staged a public protest and held a press conference to register their displeasure about the alleged disrespectful utterances Wontumi reportedly made against the Asantehene and called for his sanction and reprimand.

The two groups prayed all palaces and Royals of Asanteman to declare the NPP Chairman as persona non grata during any future official function or ceremony over the statements he is alleged to have made.

“In this regard, the Asante Youth wants to appeal to Manhyia Palace never to allow Wontumi to enter Manhyia Palace anytime an NPP delegation pays a courtesy call on the King until he publicly renders an unqualified apology to the King and Asanteman as a whole

“Perhaps if Chairman Wontumi wants to own his Kingdom he could do it outside the jurisdiction of the Ashanti Kingdom. We are, therefore, appealing to all paramount chiefs Divisional Chiefs and Sub-chiefs who pay allegiance to the Golden Stool never to grant Wontumi audience to their various palaces for grossly disrespecting the Golden Stool”, spokesperson for the Ashanti Youth group, Amaning Kwarteng stated at a press conference on Wednesday (17 January).

Wontumi’s Alleged Crime

As a reminder, Wontumi allegedly, blasphemed by uttering some words, The New Publisher would rather not repeat in cold print, against the Asantehene during the vetting of the various NPP parliamentary aspirants in the Ashanti Region on January 3, 2024.

The said unprintable words against the Asante King, reportedly, got the Kokosohene, Nana Kwaku Duah, infuriated so he angrily questioned the NPP chairman to withdraw the blasphemous statement and apologize but to no avail.

The case was then reported at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, and the office therefore invited Wontumi through the NPP General Secretary, Lawyer Justin Kodua to face Nananom.

Justin Kodua, according to published reports, called Wontumi and the Kokosohene in a conference call on phone to find ways to peacefully resolve the case but things did not work out as planned by the NPP General Secretary.

Today’s Appearance

Snippets of information reaching The New Publisher indicated that top NPP members, and the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, may join Wontumi to the palace to find ways to resolve the issue peacefully.

Other top party members including NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua and NPP National Organizer, Lawyer Henry Boakye aka ‘Nana B’ would also be at the palace.

In a related development, the paper learnt that Wontumi’s camp were organizing sizable number of people to storm the palace and offer him their support to prove to the chiefs that he is much loved in the city.