By Fuvi Kloku
In Ghana’s political battlefield, power struggles extend far beyond the parliamentary chambers. The latest headline-grabbing saga surrounding Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, is no exception. While the ruling party may relish the spectacle, within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), there’s an undercurrent of strategic positioning, opportunism, and internal maneuvering that makes the controversy even more intriguing.
Despite the optics, most NPP figures currently engaging with Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) aren’t rallying behind Wontumi out of loyalty or party unity. Rather, they see the ongoing legal battle as an opportunity—an attention-grabbing moment to bolster their own political relevance in preparation for the next general elections.
Political Opportunism in Motion
Look no further than the NPP member who boldly threatened a naked demonstration. At first glance, it seems like an act of desperation. However, a closer analysis suggests a calculated move. With internal elections on the horizon, he is using this crisis to propel himself into the national spotlight as a fighter for the party—an audition for his bid to become National Organizer.
It’s a strategy that Ghanaian politicians know all too well: spectacle equals influence. And no one understands this better than Alexander Afenyo-Markin, whose ability to seize media moments has made him a master of political maneuvering. As expected, he has ensured that cameras don’t pass him by without capturing a headline-worthy statement on the issue.
The Price of Attention vs. The Price of Freedom
Wontumi’s predicament isn’t necessarily about financial incapacity. The 50 million cedis bail requirement, along with two sureties, should be manageable if key figures within the party truly wished to secure his release. Heavyweights like Ken Agyapong and Brian Acheampong could step in to cover a significant portion of that sum if needed. Yet, curiously, this hasn’t happened.
And that’s because, for many within NPP, keeping Wontumi in legal limbo serves a greater purpose than freeing him outright. The controversy fuels political narratives, provides ammunition against the ruling party, and allows opposition figures to exploit the headlines for personal and party-wide gain.
A Play of Pretend and Power
If there’s one person most within NPP wouldn’t mind seeing locked up for an extended period, it’s Wontumi. His influence and style have made him a divisive figure. While some may outwardly advocate for his release, many within the party recognize that his absence creates an opportunity to shift leadership dynamics and consolidate influence elsewhere.
Instead of genuine unity, what is unfolding is a delicate game of pretension—a carefully orchestrated dance of appearing to rally behind a key party figure while simultaneously allowing the system to keep him tangled up.
Afenyo’s Warning: The Bigger Picture
Perhaps the most striking development has been Afenyo-Markin’s decision to bring Wontumi’s legal woes into parliamentary discourse, using it as leverage against the ruling party. His warning—urging caution about how power could slip from their grasp in four years—wasn’t just directed at his opponents. It was a message to his own party as well, signaling that internal disarray could cost the opposition its shot at reclaiming governance in the next election cycle.
Ultimately, this isn’t just about Wontumi. It’s about strategy, survival, and seizing every opportunity to shape Ghana’s political future. Whether he walks free or remains entangled in legal trouble, one thing remains clear: in the chessboard of Ghanaian politics, attention is the most valuable currency of all—and right now, some are cashing in.
