NPP supporters mass up at Wontumi’s residence as NIB withdraws officers

Supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) thronged the residence of the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, following an attempted arrest by officers from the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and the Ghana Police Service on Friday, May 23, 2025.

The crowd, which steadily grew throughout the morning, gathered in protest against the presence of heavily armed security personnel who had earlier surrounded the property.

The motive behind the operation remains unclear. Chairman Wontumi, who was reportedly inside the house during the raid, assured officers that he would respond to their invitation on Monday, May 26, 2025.

As tensions escalated and party loyalists chanted slogans in defiance, the NIB reportedly ordered the immediate withdrawal of all officers from the scene.

While the atmosphere has since calmed, a strong contingent of NPP supporters continues to maintain a presence around the residence.

Addressing journalists, the party’s regional secretary, Kwame Adom-Appiah—who also serves as a member of Chairman Wontumi’s legal team—condemned the operation, describing it as unnecessary and poorly handled.

“When you are going to arrest someone and arrive with about 20 vehicles, when the person is neither a coup plotter nor has any intention to overthrow the government, I don’t think it is appropriate,” he said.

“Deploying that many cars is not only excessive but also a burden on the state. A simple invitation would have sufficed. And even if he failed to honour it, there are proper, lawful ways to effect an arrest.”