Members of the Kumasi Traditional Council are set to convene for a crucial meeting on Monday, January 29, 2024, to deliberate on the fate of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The embattled Chairman Wontumi has been under scrutiny following alleged derogatory remarks against the Asantehene, leading to the issuance of a summons by the Kumasi Traditional Council. The council, comprising traditional leaders, is the second-largest decision-making body in the Ashanti Kingdom.
The controversy arose from an altercation between Chairman Wontumi and the Kokosohene, Nana Kwaku Dua, during the vetting of parliamentary aspirants in the Ashanti region. Despite the denial of the accusations by Chairman Wontumi, the traditional council summoned him for a hearing, an invitation he failed to honour citing health reasons.
The NPP national leadership, represented by General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua, sought more time before the council, but they were directed to ensure Chairman Wontumi’s appearance within one week.
In an unexpected turn of events, a report surfaced alleging that the Asantehene had directed the Kumasi Traditional Council to discontinue the hearing. However, sources at the Manhyia Palace dismissed the report as false.
Reliable sources now report that the Kumasi Traditional Council is scheduled to reconvene on Monday, January 29, to deliberate on the matter. An invitation letter, signed by the Registrar of the Council, Kwame Adusei Agyemang, calls for the attendance of traditional leaders at 11:00 a.m.
Despite Chairman Wontumi’s previous failure to attend on health grounds, he was recently spotted at the NPP’s Parliamentary Primaries in the Bantama Constituency on Saturday, January 27, stating to journalists that he was in good health. It remains uncertain whether Chairman Wontumi will be present at Monday’s meeting.
Sources at the Manhyia Palace suggest that the Traditional Council is prepared to take a decision with or without the embattled Chairman Wontumi in attendance. The Kumasi Traditional Council, comprising chiefs from 77 suburbs of Kumasi, holds a pivotal role as the largest traditional council in Ghana after the Asanteman Council.
The Acting President of Bantamahene, Baffuor Owusu Amankwatiah VI, is expected to lead in the absence of the overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who missed the last meeting.
