Photo: Chairman Wontumi (centre) flanked by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong (right) and former Minister Bryan Acheampong (left), shortly after his release from NIB custody
• Not NPP MPs’ Demos, But Rock City Boss Saved Wontumi
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) dodged fresh disgrace in opposition after former Minister and hotel magnate, Bryan Acheampong, rescued its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako — better known as Chairman Wontumi— from an extended jail stint with a GH₵62 million property surety.
Wontumi, the self-styled “Governor of Ashanti”, had been holed up in National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) cells for a full week after his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on alleged criminal grounds. The Deputy Attorney General confirmed the detention via Facebook, though the exact charges remain tightly under wraps.
As the NPP scrambled for damage control, it was not the marching of MPs or party brass outside EOCO that changed Wontumi’s fortunes — but the quiet, high-stakes intervention of Acheampong, the Rock City Hotel boss.
GH₵50m Bail — But Party Bigwigs Came Up Short
The bail was set at GH₵50 million with two sureties, but it quickly became apparent that no one—not even senior party figures—could meet the asset threshold.
According to Wontumi’s lawyer and party stalwart Andy Appiah-Kubi, several NPP big names volunteered to stand surety. But one by one, their documents failed asset verification.
Former Deputy Minister George Oduro stepped up, but had already committed his property in an earlier CID case involving Wontumi, rendering him ineligible as sole guarantor.
Then came Bryan Acheampong.
“Bryan Acheampong offered property worth GH₵62 million — well above the requirement — to secure bail,” Appiah-Kubi said. “But a mischievous application filed secretly stalled the process briefly.”
Party Loyalty or Political Calculus?
Wontumi’s prolonged detention and the NPP’s slow reaction sparked fury among grassroots members. While Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin led a low-key demo outside EOCO and NIB gates, it was Bryan’s cheque-book
loyalty that got results.
“This was a loyalty test, and many failed,” said a party insider. “Bryan showed leadership, not by shouting, but by backing it with real assets.”
The move has reignited speculation over Acheampong’s future within the party. Some see it as a genuine act of solidarity; others believe it’s a strategic play to anchor his influence in the Ashanti Region — the NPP’s electoral heartbeat — and possibly position himself for bigger national roles.
The Bigger Picture: NPP in Turmoil
Wontumi’s arrest and week-long cell stay mark a turning point for the NPP, which is still reeling from its election loss and the loss of state power. With EOCO pursuing alleged crimes from within its ranks, the party can no longer hide behind incumbency.
So far, EOCO has remained tight-lipped on the exact charges, but the likelihood of prosecution looms. If pursued, it could open a legal can of worms for other high-profile party figures previously shielded by political muscle.
For now, Bryan Acheampong’s personal fortune has kept the NPP from another PR disaster. But as opposition politics heats up and state agencies regain independence, the party may not always be able to buy its way out of trouble.
About The Author
