Wontumi arrest: NPP warns supporters against violence

The Ashanti Regional arm of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has cautioned supporters against violence in connection with the arrest of their chairman Bernard Antwo Boasiako, popularly known as chairman Wontumi, with an assurance that the leadership is handling the matter.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, 3 May 2016, by the Regional Secretary of the party, Samuel Pyne.

“Party supporters should show their solidarity to the cause of the party but with caution, and not embark on any action that may lead to violence and that they should stay assured that party leaders are in firm control of affairs,” the statement indicated.

Mr Pyne also instructed party agents and officials “who have been assigned to registration centres and other points all in connection with the [EC’s limited voter] registration exercise, to stay at post and work diligently”.

Over 100 supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) besieged the Central Police Station in Kumasi on Tuesday night after Wontumi’s arrest.

The supporters of the Busia-Danquah-Dombo party were clamouring for their chairman’s release by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police.

He was arrested by the police after he turned himself in at the Central Police Station Tuesday May 3 following a complaint of alleged assault on the Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Collins Owusu Amankwah, and the Secretary to the party in that constituency, Felix Ibrahim, at Krofrom in Kumasi.

According to reports, the incident took place on Sunday 1 May, at a registration centre.

Below is the full statement of the NPP Ashanti Regional Secretary:

The NPP in the Ashanti Region expresses our greatest surprise as to how some unseen hands are trying to manipulate the police service in getting the Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, Wontumi, behind bars.

This we see as a clear distraction move by the NDC to make gains in the limited registration exercise.

We are, therefore, cautioning all party agents and officials who have been assigned to registration centres and other points all in connection with the registration exercise to stay at post and work diligently too.

Also, party supporters should show their solidarity to the cause of the party, but with caution not to embark on any actions that may lead to violence and that, they should stay assured that party leaders are in firm control of affairs.

...Signed......
Samuel Pyne
(Regional Secretary)