A former Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim, has described the arrest of Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Bosiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, as unfair.
Speaking on the Angel Morning Show (AMS) on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, she asserted that while Chairman Wontumi did not resist arrest, treating him as a criminal was unjust.
“We’re all Ghanaians, and if we’re conducting our affairs in a manner that instills fear or hatred, that’s where I must express my dissent.
“If anything, we all know how Chairman Wontumi has troubled the National Democratic Congress (NDC) by all means, they will deal with him if they can, but they should do it lawfully.”
“I followed the events when they went to his house in Kumasi and read about it on social media the day he was to report. So I asked myself, did those who went to his house do so without the knowledge of the authorities, or what?”
She noted that Chairman Wontumi reported on both the first and second days when invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
According to her, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) was meant to invite Chairman Wontumi, but he should not have been treated as a hardened criminal. To her, this incident sends a troubling signal to the nation.
“You’ve summoned the person, and he reported; he did not resist arrest. He came on the first day and the second day.
“If the EOCO wished to take over the matter, perhaps the CID could not continue, but the best course of action would be to invite Chairman Wontumi.
“When inviting someone, you should not behave as if the person is a hardened criminal, bundling him into a car. This sends a wrong signal,” she advised.
She urged President John Dramani Mahama to address the situation civilly and to invite him for questioning in a proper manner.
“There must be a proper channel to invite Chairman Wontumi; thus, they should allow the law to take its course if he fails to report, but not to arrest him as if he is a criminal in this country.”
She further condemned the “Rambo-style” approach to arrests, reminding all that power is transient.
She emphasised that President Mahama’s administration must be different and should apply the law fairly in every situation.
