New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairmanship aspirant Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s upcoming national executive elections.
Mr Boasiako said his decision was based on his personal circumstances and the need to prevent his situation from becoming an additional burden on the party as it works to rebuild following its defeat in the 2024 general election.
In a statement dated August 24, 2026, the former Ashanti Regional Chairman said his decision followed several nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters.
He described the decision as painful, saying it required him to put aside his personal ambition in the interest of the party he considers his political home.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice,” he said.
Mr Boasiako said although his desire was to continue with the contest, he had concluded that his current circumstances should not distract the NPP from the difficult task of rebuilding and preparing for the next general election.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he stated.
Reflecting on his contribution to the party, he said he had served the NPP for many years, including working with the grassroots across the country during periods of both electoral victories and defeats.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me. I have walked through the heat and the rain, travelled to the remotest communities and stood with our grassroots in both victory and defeat,” he said.
He described the NPP as more than a political organisation, saying it had become “my family” and “my home” to which he had dedicated a significant part of his life.
Mr Boasiako said he could not allow his personal circumstances or ambition to interfere with the party’s rebuilding process.
“I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead,” he said.
“I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me.”
The NPP chairmanship aspirant also acknowledged the disappointment his withdrawal could cause among his supporters across the country.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he stated.
Chairman Wontumi’s withdrawal reduces the number of contenders for the NPP National Chairmanship position to four.
The remaining aspirants are former NPP National Chairman Paul Afoko, former General Secretary John Boadu, former presidential aspirant Boakye Agyarko and Sammy Crabbe
