On Friday, May 30, 2025, the Minority Caucus in Parliament unexpectedly returned to the House, ending a brief boycott sparked by the GHC50 million bail requirement placed on Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Wontumi was granted bail under terms the NPP characterized as unduly strict and politically motivated. He has been detained since Tuesday, May 27, after being arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The party and its parliamentary caucus were incensed by the high bail sum.
In protest over EOCO’s handling of the case, minority MPs staged a walkout on Thursday, May 29. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin strongly denounced the bail requirements and indicated that the caucus would not be participating in parliamentary activity until the matter was settled.
“We are not going to ask for any property. We don’t have GH₵50 million. Where is he going to get it from? They must do the right thing, and we will not be part of any proceeding until then,” Afenyo-Markin, who is also the MP for Effutu, declared on the parliamentary floor before leading the protest.
He also declared, “We will stand with him,” in support of Chairman Wontumi. We’ll stay overnight with him if that’s what it takes.
Members of the Minority Caucus were in Parliament on Friday to take part in the day’s activities despite this hard stance, indicating that tensions have de-escalated following the dramatic events of the previous day.
Although the precise rationale for the caucus’s return was not immediately made public, the action implied that the impasse was loosened by behind-the-scenes discussions or guarantees.
Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, revealed on Thursday, May 29, that Chairman Wontumi is presently being investigated for a number of significant criminal offenses, including money laundering, fraud, and causing financial harm to the state.
Justice Srem-Sai revealed in a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is in charge of the ongoing investigation and that asset recovery procedures are already in place to recover alleged criminal gains.
“Suspect BERNARD ANTWI BOASIAKO, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, is under investigation for various criminal offences (including fraud, causing financial loss to the State, and money laundering),” the Deputy Attorney General stated.