The Media and Communications Directorate of the Wontumi Campaign Secretariat has defended the decision by New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to swear in some constituency executives in the region despite the subsequent annulment of elections in certain constituencies by the party’s National Steering Committee.
In a statement, the Secretariat rejected claims that Chairman Wontumi acted in defiance of the authority of the party, describing such assertions as inaccurate and a misrepresentation of events.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi has remained committed to the NPP, its constitution and leadership throughout his political career, and his actions were carried out in his official capacity as Regional Chairman.
The Secretariat explained that the constituency executive elections were conducted under the party’s approved election framework, which provides for the Electoral Commission of Ghana to conduct the elections under the supervision of Constituency Elections Committees.
It stated that the committees included representatives appointed by both the National and Regional Steering Committees, arguing that the process was therefore not a unilateral regional initiative.
The statement said that after the elections had been conducted and the results declared, and without any communicated decision at the time setting aside those elections, Chairman Wontumi proceeded to administer the oath of office to the elected executives.
It maintained that the swearing-in was an administrative action following an electoral process rather than an attempt to undermine the party’s national leadership.
The Secretariat, however, called for clarity from the National Steering Committee over the decision to annul elections in some constituencies in the Ashanti Region.
It raised questions about the specific constitutional provisions or election regulations relied upon to annul the completed elections, the findings made against the affected constituencies, and whether the affected candidates and election committees were given an opportunity to respond before the decision was taken.
The statement also questioned whether any court injunctions formed the basis of the annulment decisions and when such information was officially communicated to regional party leadership.
The Secretariat argued that supervisory authority must be exercised alongside transparency, constitutional authority and procedural fairness, stressing that members of the party are entitled to understand the reasons behind major decisions.
It reaffirmed Chairman Wontumi’s commitment to respecting lawful decisions taken by the party’s established organs but insisted that fairness, accountability and constitutional governance must guide the exercise of authority.
The statement urged party members to avoid inflammatory commentary and allow internal processes to resolve the matter, stressing that the strength of the NPP lies in resolving disagreements through dialogue, transparency and respect for its constitution.
