By Collins Sarkodieh 
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has officially declared his intention to contest for the National Chairmanship of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Following high-profile meetings with NPP Flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Wontumi pledged a disciplined, issue-based campaign aimed at returning the party to power in 2028.
The current Ashanti Regional Chairman informed the party’s top leadership of his ambition on Wednesday, marking the start of a nationwide stakeholder engagement strategy. His candidacy is built on four core pillars: service and unity, grassroots mobilization, disciplined campaigning, and leveraging his reputation to strengthen party structures. Wontumi emphasized that “rebuilding and energizing the grassroots machinery” is the most essential factor for the NPP’s future electoral success.
By seeking the guidance and goodwill of the party’s elder statesmen, Wontumi signals a desire to move past internal frictions following the 2024 elections. His pledge to maintain stability throughout the National Executive elections suggests a shift toward a more inclusive and reconciled leadership style. This move is expected to trigger a significant shift in the NPP’s internal political dynamics as the race for the national headquarters begins.
Why is Chairman Wontumi seeking the NPP National Chairmanship?
Chairman Wontumi is running for the National Chairmanship to lead a “reconciliation and healing” process within the NPP ranks following the 2024 general elections. He believes his longstanding reputation and experience in the Ashanti Region the party’s “World Bank” provide him with the unique ability to unify the party’s diverse factions.
His campaign is strategically focused on repositioning the party for the 2028 elections by strengthening the grassroots mobilization efforts. Wontumi argued that the party needs a leadership style rooted in inclusiveness to recapture power. This transition from regional to national leadership is viewed as an attempt to scale up his “issue-based” and disciplined campaign tactics to a broader audience.
During his meetings with Dr. Bawumia and Nana Akufo-Addo, he expressed gratitude for their roles in rebuilding the party, positioning himself as a successor who can protect and expand their legacy. He maintains that his ambition is fully aligned with the collective goals of the party’s rank and file, rather than individual interests.
What are the four pillars of Chairman Wontumi’s campaign?
Wontumi’s quest for the National Chairmanship is anchored on service and unity, grassroots mobilization, disciplined campaigning, and utilizing his reputation to strengthen the party. These pillars are designed to address the perceived gaps in the party’s current organization and to bridge the divide between national leadership and local supporters.
The “grassroots mobilization” pillar is arguably the most critical, as Wontumi believes the NPP’s strength lies in its local machinery. By energizing these local cells, he plans to create a more resilient electoral force. Meanwhile, the “service and unity” pillar focuses on the “reconciliation and healing” necessary to bring back disgruntled members who may have felt sidelined during the previous election cycle.
Disciplined campaigning is another cornerstone, with Wontumi pledging to maintain fairness and stability throughout the internal electoral process. He aims to avoid the mudslinging that often characterizes regional politics, opting instead for a campaign that focuses on organizational strengths and the party’s future viability.
How did Bawumia and Akufo-Addo react to Wontumi’s candidacy?
While the specific private responses of the leaders were not detailed, Wontumi’s team successfully used the courtesy calls to seek their “prayers, guidance, and goodwill”. These visits were high-profile events intended to signal that his candidacy respects the established hierarchy and the roles of the party’s elder statesmen.
The meetings were described as part of a broader “nationwide stakeholder engagement strategy” to unify the party. By starting his campaign with the two most influential figures in the NPP, Wontumi is attempting to gain early legitimacy and demonstrate that his leadership would be collaborative rather than disruptive.
He reiterated during these meetings that his quest for power is rooted in service to the Republic of Ghana and the Government of Ghana, rather than mere personal advancement. This diplomatic approach is likely intended to soothe any concerns about his transition from the often-turbulent regional politics of Ashanti to the more measured requirements of national chairmanship.
Factual Insights into the NPP Internal Elections:
- Pillars of Service: Wontumi’s campaign is officially built on four specific pillars: service/unity, grassroots mobilization, discipline, and party strengthening.
- Election Target: The primary goal cited for this leadership shift is to prepare the NPP for the 2028 general elections.
- Leadership Strategy: Wontumi has emphasized a leadership style rooted in “inclusiveness” to recapture power.
- Reciprocity: The candidate praised both Dr. Bawumia and Nana Akufo-Addo for their roles in “rebuilding and repositioning” the party.
- Regional Influence: As the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Wontumi currently leads the party in its most populous and politically significant region.
- Stakeholder Engagement: The campaign involves a nationwide strategy to engage all stakeholders and promote party-wide healing.
Can Chairman Wontumi unify the NPP grassroots by 2028?
Wontumi’s success in unifying the grassroots will depend on his ability to execute the “reconciliation and healing” he promised. He argues that a leadership style rooted in inclusiveness is the only way to energize the local machinery required to win national elections. His supporters point to his success in the Ashanti Region as proof that he understands the needs of local supporters better than most.
However, the challenge of national chairmanship involves managing varied regional interests that may differ from his Ashanti base. His pledge to maintain fairness and stability throughout the upcoming National Executive elections is his first major test in proving he can be a neutral arbiter for the entire party.
Ultimately, Wontumi believes that “rebuilding and repositioning” the party starts with a disciplined, issue-based campaign that prioritizes the party over the individual. If he can translate his regional influence into national unity, he could become a pivotal figure in the NPP’s quest to return to power in 2028.
Bernard Antwi Boasiako’s entry into the race for National Chairman brings a new level of energy and focus to the NPP’s internal reorganization. By centering his candidacy on grassroots mobilization and disciplined campaigning, he is addressing the core organizational challenges the party faced in the 2024 cycle.
As the internal electoral process begins, the focus will remain on whether Wontumi can deliver the “reconciliation and healing” he advocates. With the blessing of the party’s elder statesmen and a clear four-pillar strategy, Chairman Wontumi is positioning himself as the man capable of turning the NPP back into a winning machine for 2028.