Chairman Wontumi Denies Extorting Money And Bribe Allegations From NPP MP
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako has denied strongly allegations that he is extorting bribes from members of parliament in the metropolis.
Chairman Wontumi as affectionately called in politics told Peacefmonline.com in an interview that
“I have not taking money from any person. Why will I do that, for what reason?”
NPPs’ Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North has accused him of sabotaging the efforts of incumbent MPs in the region, by extorting bribes from them.
According to Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, Mr Antwi-Boasiako, has been making efforts to scuttle the ambitions of MPs who refused to give in to his bribe demands, the most recent being the MP for Manhyia North, Collins Owusu Amankwah.
“It’s happened to me before. I remember when Chairman Adams (NPP’s former Upper East regional chairman) died and the MPs and constituency executives had converged at Georgia Hotel, which was about a month to the primaries. I approached him and asked him: ‘Chairman, how are you assisting me with this election?’ He told me: ‘Go find money, so I do mafia for you, lest you lose the election.’ I was shocked.” Kwadwo Baah Agyemang alleged.
But Opoku Mensah, spokesman for Mr Antwi-Boasiako has refuted the allegations saying they were simply meant to tarnish the image of the party’s chairman - he said the allegations were borne out of hatred, as Chairman Wontumi had never made any demands on any parliamentary candidate.
However, the office of chairman Wontumi has issued a statement repudiating the claims after calling on all NPP members to unite – “Our detractors are at work.”
Read Full statement below:
I write to debunk a recent publication, alleging the chairman of NPP, Ashanti Region- Chairman Wontumi of taking bribes from MPs.
We wish to state it clearly that, the said allegation is untrue, has no bases and should be treated as a mere fabrication to tarnish the hard earned reputation of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP.
I wish to stress that, under no circumstance has Chairman Wontumi taken any forms of bribes or any money from that who alleges or any MP.
Considering the financial soundness of the chairman and his contribution to the party [NPP], he will not go that low to extort monies from MPs as claimed. The chairmen is in shock of such allegation labeled against him after dedicating his life for the party, mostly in the Ashanti Region.
However, it is record that Chairman Wontumi has rejected monies giving to him as tokens for his kind gesture so therefore the allegation is just meant to tarnish his reputation.
We think Mr. Kwadwo Baah Agyeman, should take a clear reflections as to why he lost his seat and possibly come out with the real reasons why he lost, than apportioning blames.
The fact of the matter is, Mr. Kwadwo Baah Agyeman lost his seat because, and his constituent realized that he has been working against the party. He has been fingered of leaking recording from his party to opponent.
He lost not because the chairman was against, but, he lost because he is not loyal to his constituents.
Everybody in the Ashanti Region knows how supportive Chairman Wontumi is, so the NPP fraternity is in shock of such allegation from Kwadwo Baah Agyeman.
It must be noted that, Chairman Wontumi works hard to make his fortunes and not even the biggest forms of bribes from that who alleges or any MP can make difference in his fortunes.
The office of the Chairman has dared Kwakwo Baah Agyeman to publicly tell the exact amount extorted from him as alleged. It is often said that, those who alleges should prove it, we dare you to come out clearly and prove what he claims.
To the detractors, this is the time to come together, work and wrestle power from the incompetent hands of Mahama and we believe our efforts should be gunned towards that and not these forms of act which will only tear us apart.
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