The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Barnard Antwi- Bosiako, aka, Chairman Wontumi, has denied taking bribes from some Members of Parliament in the Region.

The MP for Asante- Akyem North, Mr. Kwadwo Baah Agyeman had alleged that, Chairman Wontumi had been taking bribes from MPs to assure them of re-election by delegates.

However, in a statement, the NPP chairman denied the allegation, saying the claim is “untrue, without foundation and utterly false and should be treated as a mere fabrication from a disgruntled person with the sole aim of tarnishing the hard earned reputation of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP”.

Below is the full statement:

RE: WONTUMI TAKES BRIBES FROM MPs

I write to debunk and to repudiate a recent media publication, alleging that the chairman of The NPP, Ashanti Region - Chairman Wontumi takes bribes from MPs. I wish to state in clear unequivocal terms that, the said allegation is untrue, without foundation and utterly false and should be treated as a mere fabrication from a disgruntled person with the sole aim of tarnishing the hard earned reputation of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP.

I wish to reiterate that, under no circumstance has Chairman Wontumi ever taken any form of bribe, monetary inducement or any money from any person anywhere including the MP who made that unfortunate allegation.

It is rather perplexingly unbelievable that any person anywhere could make such a preposterous accusation against the regional chairman considering the numerous sacrifices, investments and support that the Ashanti regional chairman has made towards the growth of the NPP at the constituency, regional and national levels. Indeed, it is astonishing in its defiance of logic, that someone who has made enormous financial commitments to the growth and development of the NPP could be accused of such and even more disheartening is when those silly reckless allegations are coming from people whose lives have been touched and affected in positive ways by the enormous financial benevolence of the Regional Chairman.

It also needs to be placed on record that Chairman Wontumi has never asked for any money or any of support or inducement from those who accuse him in return of any undue political favours.

It is often the case that individuals who lose elections could become hurt, sometimes bitter and disgruntled but it is their ability to safeguard their public utterances and actions that shows their level of maturity and this irresponsible, unjustifiable utterances from the MP is not only unfortunate but goes to expose the sort of loser he is. It is stupefying for anyone to assume that the regional could have a hand in his loss as though the delegates were some zombies under the political control and manipulation of the chairman. How can the Regional Chairman sabotage your ambition, if you were in constant touch with your constituents? How can Chairman sabotage your victory, if indeed you were working for your party and your power?

Mr. Kwadwo Baah Agyeman, should take deep sober reflections as to why and how he lost his bid, identify the factors that led to his loss and work around them in the future. Those allegations are unfounded and will only end up hurting his own public image and reputation and not that of the Regional Chairman. If he wants to know the real reasons behind his loss, he should take a look in the mirror, and there he will find the very person who worked against him.

Mr. Kwadwo Baah Agyeman did not lose because of non-existent saboteurs, neither did he lose because some forces were working against him that could only be a figment of his own imaginations. He lost because the delegates did not find him worthy enough and they found him to be a person of questionable loyalties.

It must also be noted that, Chairman Wontumi works hard to to earn a living and does not need any form of bribe from anyone, not even the MP. Like the popular Asante saying, “when a naked man promises you clothes, you just listen to his name’’, as to how a person like Baah Agyemang can claim to have been approached for bribes is something that is just laughable in every sense.

It is often said that, those who allege, must provide proof and it will be in Mr. Baah Agyemang’s own interest to substantiate this allegation to save his waning reputation, credibility and integrity.

This is the time we work together and direct all our energies towards wrestling power from the incompetent hands of Mahama and his bunch of inept appointees and if Mr. Baah has anything, he should direct it towards the NDC.