Wontumi rises from sick bed, faces Asante Chiefs today

BELEAGUERED ASHANTI Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, seems to have fully recovered from his reported illness.

He was over the weekend seen at different places in Kumasi, including the Lancaster Hotel, looking healthy and fit. He is therefore expected to appear at the Manhyia Palace today.

Bad Press

Nicknamed as ‘Wontumi’ in political circles, the NPP Regional Chairman was in the news for bad the reasons last week when he did not appear in person at the Manhyia Palace seat of the Asantehene, the Monarch of the Ashanti Kingdom.

Wontumi, who has been accused of disrespecting the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and also cursing the Kokosohene, was summoned to appear before the chiefs last Monday but he was nowhere to be found when the chiefs gathered to expect his appearance.

Lawyer Justin Kodua, the NPP General Secretary, who was at the Manhyia palace on Monday, told the chiefs that Wontumi was not feeling well, hence his absence at the palace.

Chiefs Angry

But some of the chiefs, who attended the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) meeting, expressed doubt that Wontumi was sick. They suspected he feigned sickness to dodge the chiefs.

“If you feign sickness, you will surely die”, one of the agitated chiefs remarked, stressing that the beleaguered politician intentionally refused to appear at the palace.

The chiefs, chaired by the Bantamahene, Baffuor Owusu Amankwatia, then ordered that Wontumi should appear before them (chiefs) today (Monday) even in wheelchair.

Hospital Drama

Few days after the chief’s strong order, a picture of Wontumi, lying on a hospital bed, started to circulate on social media platforms. Perhaps it was to prove that Wontumi was indeed sick.

Interestingly, scores of people have described the picture as staged. According to them, Wontumi used the picture to prove a point that he was sick, which they believe is not true.

Public Appearances

Meanwhile, Wontumi who claimed to be seriously sick was seen at the Lancaster Hotel in Kumasi on Friday evening. Wearing a black top with gold chain to match, he was alone as he ate his dinner.

On Saturday, Wontumi was also spotted at some of the election venues when the NPP went to the election to elect their parliamentary candidates for the December polls.

Judgment Day

Now that Wontumi is fully recovered, definitely he would appear before the Asante chiefs at the Manhyia Palace to face charges of disrespecting Otumfuo and also cursing the Kokosohene today.