Ghana’s minority parliament protests over party chairman’s detention – Converseer

ACCRA (CONVERSEER) – Minority Members in Ghana’s Parliament have staged a dramatic walkout in protest of the continued detention of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The protest comes after Chairman Wontumi was arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Tuesday, May 27.

He had initially reported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning but was later transferred to EOCO’s head office in Accra, where he is being investigated for allegedly causing financial loss to the state.

His lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi, confirmed that Wontumi was granted bail of GH¢50 million with two sureties, both to be justified. However, he spent the night in custody after failing to meet the full bail conditions.

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On the floor of Parliament Thursday, May 29, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin declared a boycott of parliamentary proceedings until EOCO reviews and relaxes the bail conditions to secure Wontumi’s release.

In a striking symbolic gesture, Minority MPs rose to their feet and chanted a line from Ghana’s national anthem — “and help us to resist oppressors’ rule with all our will and might forevermore” — as they exited the chamber.

They then marched toward EOCO’s offices, located about 30 minutes from Parliament, in a show of solidarity.