The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, fondly called Chairman Wontumi, has issued a bold threat, declaring his intention to shift the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from their current 8th position on the ballot paper to the 6th or 7th position. This, he claims, is to prove his influence and political might.
His frustration was particularly directed at popular preacher Rev. Isaac-Owusu Bempah, who had recently expressed support for the NDC and declared John Dramani Mahama the winner of the upcoming December 7 elections.
Chairman Wontumi’s comments were made during a broadcast on his own media platform, Wontumi FM, in a heated outburst where he appeared visibly angered by Rev. Owusu-Bempah’s decision to align with the opposition.
“I will move the NDC from 8th to 6th or 7th position just to show them my power,” Wontumi asserted with defiance, emphasizing his intention to display the level of control he holds over political matters.
This tension stems from the declaration by Rev. Owusu-Bempah, a well-known spiritual figure and former supporter of the NPP, who publicly proclaimed that the NDC’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, would emerge victorious in the upcoming presidential election.
Owusu-Bempah had previously been a close ally of the NPP, and his surprising endorsement of Mahama has sparked controversy, particularly among staunch supporters of the ruling party.
Rev. Owusu-Bempah’s influence in political circles has long been notable, with many perceiving his spiritual pronouncements as swaying the opinions of some voters.
In the past, he had openly supported NPP candidates, claiming divine revelations about their victory. However, his recent shift towards the NDC has raised eyebrows and caused a stir within political and religious communities alike.
Chairman Wontumi, known for his brash style and unwavering loyalty to the NPP, wasted no time in condemning the pastor’s newfound support for the opposition party.
“How can a man like Owusu-Bempah turn around and betray the very party he has supported for so long?” Wontumi fumed during his show, questioning the preacher’s motives and the implications for the upcoming elections.
As Ghana’s December 7 elections draw closer, the political climate has grown increasingly tense, with high-profile figures like Owusu-Bempah playing a role in shaping the narrative.
Wontumi’s challenge to shift the NDC’s position on the ballot may be symbolic, but it reflects the fierce battle for dominance between the two major parties.
His reaction signals the depth of division caused by Owusu-Bempah’s unexpected declaration and highlights the high stakes of the upcoming polls.