The campaign team of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has formally endorsed former General Secretary John Boadu for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Chairmanship position, in a move that reshapes the party’s internal election landscape ahead of the 2028 general elections .
The endorsement was announced at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, September 8, by Dennis Okyere Danso, administrator of the Wontumi campaign .
A Deliberate and Strategic Choice
Mr Danso said the decision followed extensive consultations with the party’s grassroots, constituency actors, campaign leadership, party elders, and stakeholders across the country . The announcement came days after campaign officials visited Chairman Wontumi at the Nsawam facility, where he is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence .
“This is not a casual endorsement, nor a decision born of convenience or political pressure. It is a deliberate and strategic choice, guided by what we believe serves the best interest of the New Patriotic Party and its future,” the campaign stated .
Mr Danso argued that Mr Boadu’s institutional experience, combined with the Wontumi campaign’s grassroots network, would position the NPP strongly for the 2028 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,” he said . “When grassroots strength meets institutional experience, and mobilisation is matched with organisation, the NPP becomes a formidable force for victory” .
Bawumia 2028 Ambitions
The campaign stated its belief that Mr Boadu is best positioned among the aspirants to lead the NPP back to its “winning ways” and support efforts to return former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to the presidency in 2028 .
Background: Wontumi’s Withdrawal and Imprisonment
Chairman 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 issued that day, he said the decision followed “sober reflection and consultations” with his family, legal team, party elders, and trusted supporters .
He is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction on charges related to illegal mining activities, specifically for assigning mineral rights granted to his company, Akonta Mining Limited, without obtaining the required ministerial approval . His legal team is challenging both the conviction and the sentence .
Boadu’s Strong Polling Position
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 in August, 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 .
A subsequent poll released in September showed Mr Boadu leading with 23.3% support, with a large undecided bloc of 41.3% . Mr Boadu also recorded the strongest favourability rating among the chairmanship contenders, with a net favourability score of 70%, slightly ahead of Mr Agyarko’s 69% .
A Call for Unity
The Wontumi campaign called on all its members, including regional and constituency structures, electoral-area coordinators, polling-station executives, communicators, volunteers, and supporters, to immediately rally behind Mr Boadu.
“Wherever you organised for Wontumi, organise for John Boadu. Wherever you mobilised for Wontumi, mobilise for John Boadu. Wherever you stood for Wontumi, stand for John Boadu,” the statement indicated .
The campaign stressed, however, that the endorsement should not be interpreted as an attack on other aspirants, urging contestants to maintain civility throughout the internal election. “Internal democracy must never become internal warfare,” the campaign said, adding that the contest should ultimately produce “a stronger NPP, not a wounded one” .
The Race Ahead
The NPP has cleared all 47 aspirants contesting the national executive positions, with balloting set for September 9 to determine each aspirant’s position on the ballot paper . The National Chairman race will feature four contenders: John Boadu, Paul Afoko, Boakye Agyarko, and Sammy Crabbe .
The endorsement of Mr Boadu by the Wontumi campaign significantly strengthens his position in the race, as it brings a formidable grassroots network from the Ashanti Region—a key electoral stronghold for the NPP . With elections scheduled for October 3, 2026, the contest is expected to be closely watched as the party positions itself for the 2028 general elections .
