On Thursday, Members of the Minority in Parliament walked out of the House in protest over the continued detention of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Chairman Wontumi has been held by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) since Tuesday, May 27, following his failure to meet bail conditions set at GHS50 million. Despite former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong stepping in as one of the required two sureties, the conditions for his release had not been fulfilled.
The protest was led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who delivered a forceful statement in Parliament condemning EOCO’s handling of the matter. He described the ongoing detention as unfair and cautioned that such actions could trigger significant political repercussions.
Speaking to the press following the Minority’s dramatic walkout from Parliament, Afenyo-Markin strongly criticized EOCO for what he described as the unjust and excessive handling of Chairman Wontumi’s case.
“EOCO has every right to investigate suspected wrongdoing—no one is above the law. But in doing your work, respect the rule of law. Respect human dignity,” Afenyo-Markin said.
“There are countless individuals who have been invited or arrested by state investigative bodies and yet are treated with basic decency and fairness,” he added.
He expressed deep concern about the precedent being set, warning that the apparent weaponization of state institutions could return to haunt the nation’s democracy in the future.
“The way we are treating ourselves today, let’s not be deceived—it will come back to haunt us in 2029. We must tread carefully. Political power is never permanent, but the institutions we damage now will still be here long after we are gone.”
Addressing the specifics of Wontumi’s detention, Afenyo-Markin further questioned the practicality and fairness of the GHS50 million bail condition imposed.
He announced that until EOCO reviewed its actions and allowed due process to take its proper course, the NPP Minority MPs would continue their protest by boycotting parliamentary proceedings.
“We’re not just walking out. We’re standing with him. If Chairman Wontumi remains in detention, we’ll be right there with him. We’ll sleep there with him if we must. We are making a statement that injustice to one is injustice to all.”
In a related development, the Minority has proceeded to march to the premises of EOCO in protest of their detained colleague.
