A photo collage of Chairman Wontumi (L) and Bryan Acheampong

The Bono East Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who is also an executive council member of the party, has revealed how Bryan Acheampong, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi and a flagbearer hopeful, allegedly shut down the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, during a council meeting.

According to him, Bryan Acheampong, while addressing the council on recent comments by former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who had lamented neglect by the party, was urging the council to consider Kufuor’s concerns.

However, Chairman Wontumi interjected, raising an issue about former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s recent disclaimer, in which he denied media reports that he had attempted to postpone the NPP delegates’ conference slated for July 19, 2025.

Speaking in an interview on Movement TV on July 15, 2025, the Bono East Regional Secretary narrated that Bryan Acheampong was displeased with Wontumi’s interruption and told him to “sit down and shut up,” adding that he had been the one who bailed him when he faced issues with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

“Yesterday, Hon. Bryan was speaking regarding President Kufuor’s letter and was trying to make the executives reason with President Kufuor. Chairman also raised Nana Addo’s issue, confirming that the President hadn’t said anything about postponing the conference. So, while Bryan was speaking, Chairman tried to interject to make a statement.

“It was at that point that Bryan Acheampong said to him: Sit down and shut up; I just bailed you. Even though I don’t know if he was joking or serious, if he meant it, then it was not the best way to speak to the NPP Chairman,” he said.

The Bono East Regional Secretary added that while Bryan Acheampong might have been joking, such a statement was inappropriate if meant seriously.

“If he meant it, then it wasn’t on a good note. Your brother going into trouble shouldn’t be used against him. The situation Chairman Wontumi was in could have been resolved by himself, but the law did not permit that. So, if you do such a favour for someone, it doesn’t make the person your slave.

“I don’t want us to dwell too much on that, but once the story is published, I can’t deny it as a council member… it was a statement that came out, and we want to assume it was said in jest. But if he meant it, then it wasn’t the best,” he stressed.

It may be recalled that Bryan Acheampong played a crucial role in meeting the GH₵50 million bail conditions set by EOCO to secure Wontumi’s release after he was held in custody over alleged offences, including fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.

His release followed the fulfilment of a GH¢50 million bail condition, which required two justified sureties, with Bryan Acheampong reportedly using his properties to secure the bail.

AM/KA

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