Early this morning, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), found his residence subjected to a raid by a joint team of National Security operatives and Police officers. The ongoing operation saw security personnel encircle the property, though the precise reasons for this dramatic intervention remain shrouded in secrecy. It was initially unclear whether Chairman Wontumi was present in the house at the time of the raid.
Supporters Protest at Wontumi’s Home
Later in the day, a significant number of NPP supporters began to converge at Chairman Wontumi’s residence, openly protesting the presence of the police and security forces. The crowd steadily swelled, their collective voices rising in strong opposition to the operation, which reports indicated was carried out by officers from the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and the Ghana Police Service. Despite the growing public outcry, the motives behind the raid continued to be undisclosed.
Opposition Reacts to the Raid
Kwame Adom-Appiah, the regional secretary of the NPP and a member of Chairman Wontumi’s legal team, condemned the operation, describing it as “unnecessary” and poorly executed. “When you are going to arrest someone and arrive with about 20 vehicles, when the person is neither a coup plotter nor has any intention to overthrow the government, I don’t think it is appropriate,” Adom-Appiah stated. “Deploying that many cars is excessive and a burden on the state. A simple invitation would have sufficed. If he fails to respond, there are lawful ways to effect an arrest.”
Wontumi’s Lawyer Criticizes the Operation In a statement to the media, Adom-Appiah further criticised the security operation, calling it “immature” and unnecessary. He questioned the conduct of the joint security team, emphasizing that the scale of the operation was disproportionate to the situation. “When you are going to arrest somebody and you come with about 20 cars, when the person is not a coup maker or a threat to national security, I do not see the usefulness of such an approach,” he said. “This is a misuse of state resources and an undesirable display of force.”
Tensions Remain High The raid has heightened tensions in the area, with residents and onlookers visibly unsettled. Security forces continue to guard the premises, and it remains uncertain whether Chairman Wontumi is inside or what specifically prompted the operation.
Wontumi’s Response
In an interview with his media house, Wontumi Radio, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, revealed that security officials from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) attempted to arrest him earlier today at his residence.
Wontumi explained that prior to the incident, he had been invited by the Ghana Police Service to their office. He said he informed a police officer, Mr. Offie, that he would report on Monday, May 26, 2025, and provided a written note to confirm his intention to do so. However, he claimed that early this morning, a large group of security personnel arrived at his house, claiming they were acting on instructions from the BNI boss in Kumasi to arrest him. Wontumi said he questioned the motive, stating, “I told them that the police had already informed me I would report on Monday, so why are they here to pick me now? I called the police, and they told me they hadn’t sent anyone to pick me up and that they are waiting for me to come on Monday.” He expressed suspicion over the operation, questioning why he was targeted given that he has never held any government position or been involved in any corruption allegations.
Wontumi strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he has no reason to be afraid. “I have never been president, vice president, on any government board, or worked in any official capacity for the government,” he stated. “Is this because I want to become the National Chairman of the NPP? The NDC (National Democratic Congress) wants to scare me? God will not allow this to happen. We are still at my home, and they won’t have it easy,” he added.
It remains unclear why security officials were at Wontumi’s residence. Recently, his company, Akonta Mining, had its mining license suspended by the government over allegations of illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region. Wontumi has denied the accusations, claiming he is being targeted because of his bid for the NPP National Chairmanship.
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Recent Raids On State Officials
Since the Mahama administration assumed office in January 2025, a discernible pattern has emerged: a series of raids targeting former state officials, particularly those who served as appointees under the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). This trend has raised significant concerns and sparked widespread debate, with notable instances including operations at the residences of a former finance minister and a former governor of Ghana’s central bank.
High-Profile Raids: Dr. Ernest Addison and Ken Ofori-Atta
A news report by BigFamily News on March 19, 2025, detailed a raid led by Richard Jakpa, the Director of Special Operations of the National Security Secretariat, on the home of Dr. Ernest Addison, the former governor of the Bank of Ghana. According to the report, the raid took place at Dr. Addison’s residence in Accra’s affluent Roman Ridge area. Accounts from BigFamily News described heavily armed individuals, clad in balaclavas and wielding AK-47s, arriving at the property while Dr. Addison was present. The specific reasons behind this high-profile operation were not disclosed.
Preceding this, on February 11, 2025, the residence of former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, popularly known as Ken Ofori-Atta, was also subjected to a raid. This operation was reportedly carried out by individuals dressed in military uniforms. The initial report of this alleged raid surfaced on Channel1 TV’s X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that it occurred at Ofori-Atta’s home in Cantonments while he was believed to be out of the country. Similar to the raid on Dr. Addison’s home, the motive for this operation remained unclear to the public. However, just hours after the raid, the Office of the Special Prosecutor declared the former minister “a fugitive for justice,” a case still under scrutiny.
This recurring pattern of raids on former officials, particularly those affiliated with the NPP, has “raised eyebrows” among the Ghanaian populace. Netizens and political observers alike are increasingly questioning whether these operations are politically motivated, perceiving them as a growing political battle between the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
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