The Ashanti Region Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has vehemently denied claims by former member Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen that he introduced him into politics and, for that matter, into the party.
Mr Kyerematen, in the aftermath of his resignation from the party on Monday, September 25, had granted an interview on Accra-based UTV that Chairman Wontumi was being ungrateful because he ensured that he was made Bosomtwe Constituency Chairman and later regional chairman.
Chairman Wontumi had directed all constituency chairmen in the party in the Region to remove posters and paraphernalia of Alan from their offices.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant, Andy Owusu, on Tuesday, September 26, the regional chairman said he became constituency chairman when he was a staunch supporter of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“Although Chairman Wontumi was once a staunch supporter of Mr. Kyerematen, it is never true that he brought him (Chairman Wontumi) to mainstream politics or political limelight,” the statement said.
“As a matter of fact, Chairman Wontumi became the NPP Constituency Chairman of Bosomtwe as a staunch loyalist of Nana Akufo Addo.
“It was during his time as the Bosomtwe Constituency Chairman that he met Mr. Kyerematen.
“And it was actually the current District Chief Executive for Atwima Nwabiagya North, Hon. Rebecca Yeboah, popularly known as ‘Sister Bantama', who was at the time a member of the NPP Volunteer Media Communication who took Chairman Wontumi to the residence of the then NPP Constituency Chairman for Asokwa, Mr. Robert Asare Bediako, where he met Mr. Kyerematen.
“During their meeting, someone recorded and leaked the engagement to the then Opposition Leader, HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.”
It pointed out that all loyalists of Mr Akufo-Addo with the exception of the late Dr Kwame Amoako Tuffour were against Chairman Wontumi, then.
According to the statement, he managed to win the regional elections against Lawyer Osei Prempeh without the support of the current president and Mr Kyerematen.
“Indeed, 100% credit goes to the late Dr. Amoako Tuffour so far as the successful regional chairmanship bid of Chairman Wontumi is concerned.
“Chairman Asare Bediako, Agya Sei and my good self, Andy Owusu who was the Campaign Manager at the time, also played various instrumental roles in the campaign.
“I will conclude by stating that, Mr. Kyerematen's claims of introducing Chairman Wontumi to
political limelight, and making him Constituency Chairman and subsequently, Ashanti Regional Chairman are palpable falsehoods, and must be treated with the contempt they deserve.”