A Kumasi-based traditional pressure group known as Ashanti Youth has called for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi, to be banned from visiting Manhyia Palace and any other palace in the Ashanti Region.
According to the group, the ban should hold until Chairman Wontumi renders an unqualified apology to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Asanteman for the disparaging comments against the King.
Chairman Wontumi is said to have made derogatory statements against the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in Kumasi during the NPP’s parliamentary primaries vetting, where he allegedly challenged Otumfuo’s authority while in a confrontation with the Manhyia South Constituency Organizer.
Chairman Wontumi is alleged to have stated that he had created his kingdom in the Ashanti Region and further said that he would challenge Otumfuo if he (Wontumi) disagreed on an issue with the Ashanti King.
”I have built my kingdom, I have my police and military, and I will speak my mind to Otumfuo if I disagree on an issue with him,” Wontumi said.
Addressing a news conference at the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, the Spokesperson of the Youth Group described Chairman Wontumi’s comment as gross disrespect to the Ashanti Kingdom, which must be roundly condemned.
They said Chairman Wontumi should be banned from visiting the Manhyia Palace even when he tries to go there on the ticket of the NPP.
The group also slammed the National Organizer of the NPP, Nana Boakye, aka Nana B, over his attempt to cover up the action of Chairman Wontumi.
“We want to state that the Ashanti Youth is highly disappointed in the NPP National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye for trying to cover up Chairman Wontumi’s unguarded remarks against the gold stool. Nana B has granted interviews on various radio stations, saying Chairman Wontumi never made such statements, only to be revealed by the Kokosohene that Chairman Wontumi indeed made the statements.
”The Ashanti Youth wants to tell Nana B that he cannot trade his political interest over his Ashanti tribe. A word to the wise is enough!” Eugene Oppong Agyei, spokesperson for the group, said.