Former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako—popularly known as Chairman Wontumi—has endorsed former General Secretary John Boadu for the party’s National Chairmanship. The endorsement was announced by Wontumi campaign administrator Dennis Okyere Danso during a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Danso said the decision followed consultations with Wontumi, the party’s grassroots, constituency actors, campaign leadership, party elders and other stakeholders. He added that the Wontumi campaign visited Mr Boasiako at the Nsawam facility where he is being held on Friday, September 4, before reaching the decision to support Mr Boadu.
“Following the meeting and after extensive consultation with the grassroots, constituency actors, campaign leadership, party elders and stakeholders across the country, the Wontumi campaign has taken a firm and decisive position to throw our full support, strength and political weight behind the candidature of Mr John Boadu for the National Chairman,” the administrator said.
Danso described the endorsement as a deliberate and strategic decision aimed at advancing the interests of the NPP. He said Mr Boadu’s institutional experience and knowledge of the party’s organisational structure, coupled with the Wontumi campaign’s grassroots network, would strengthen the NPP ahead of the 2028 general elections.
“John Boadu brings extensive institutional experience, deep knowledge of the party’s organisational structure, strong relationships across its ranks and proven records of frontline service,” Danso added. “When grassroots strength meets institutional experience, and mobilisation is matched with organisation, the NPP becomes a formidable force for victory.”
The campaign believes Mr Boadu is best positioned among the aspirants to lead the NPP back to power and support efforts to return former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to the presidency in 2028.
Wontumi withdrew from the NPP’s upcoming national elections on August 24, days after his campaign team picked up nomination forms on his behalf. In a statement dated that day, Mr Boasiako said the decision followed consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters. He is currently serving a 20‑year prison sentence following his conviction on illegal mining‑related charges, a conviction his legal team is challenging.
The endorsement comes after a Global InfoAnalytics survey placed John Boadu ahead of other leading contenders in the NPP National Chairmanship race. The survey, released on August 20, found that 27% of NPP voters preferred Mr Boadu as National Chairman, compared with 15% for former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko and 10% for Paul Afoko.
What follows is the NPP’s next move to consolidate support for Mr Boadu as it gears up for the 2028 elections.
