By Daniel Bampoe
Armed soldiers were deployed to the premises of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Tuesday, following the arrest of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman.
The arrest has ignited political tensions and drawn sharp reactions from party supporters and leadership, raising fresh concerns over the use of state institutions in politically sensitive investigations.
Chairman Wontumi was picked up by EOCO officers shortly after he honoured an earlier invitation from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at its headquarters in Accra.
Chairman Wontumi was questioned over alleged involvement in illegal mining operations, including activities in protected forest reserves, a charge he has previously denied.
News of his arrest spread rapidly, drawing scores of NPP supporters to EOCO’s headquarters in what became a charged political standoff.
Among the gathering were high-ranking party figures, including NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong and National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye, who demanded access to their regional chairman.
The EOCO facility in Accra was soon reinforced with military personnel, a rare security escalation that underscored the political sensitivity surrounding Wontumi’s detention.
At least over 20 armed officers were stationed at the entrance, effectively preventing the crowd—mostly party loyalists—from entering or interacting with officials.
Despite the high-profile nature of the arrest, EOCO has not officially disclosed the details of its investigation or the charges being considered.
This lack of clarity has only intensified suspicions within the NPP, with many in the party describing the arrest as a politically motivated attempt to harass key opposition figures ahead of the 2028 general elections.
“This situation is deeply concerning,” Nana Boakye told reporters outside EOCO.
He added “Denying access to our own Regional Chairman without explanation is unacceptable. We are witnessing what appears to be a calculated effort to intimidate our party through state institutions.”
This is not the first time Wontumi has faced scrutiny over mining-related controversies. In recent years, he has been publicly linked to illegal small-scale mining—commonly referred to as galamsey—though investigations have not resulted in formal prosecution.
His strong influence within the NPP and his role in mobilizing support in the party’s electoral stronghold of Ashanti Region make his arrest particularly significant.
The NPP has since issued statements accusing EOCO and related agencies of acting under political instructions. The party has vowed to resist what it sees as an attempt to silence and weaken its ranks through unjustified legal maneuvers.
Meanwhile, EOCO has maintained silence on the matter, neither confirming nor denying the scope of the interrogation.
