Former Ghanaian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr Tony Aidoo, has criticised the New Patriotic Party’s decision to assume responsibility for the legal defence of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, arguing that the move reflects what he described as a culture of shielding party members accused or convicted of criminal wrongdoing.
Speaking on Gold Morning Conversation with Sena Nombo, Dr Aidoo said he was “scandalised” by reports that the NPP had dedicated its legal team to handling Wontumi’s cases, including his appeal against a recent conviction.
“So should the whole of Ghana be scandalised, because now the NPP has exposed itself as a criminal enterprise and not a political party,” he said.
Dr Aidoo maintained that the party had consistently politicised criminal prosecutions involving its members instead of allowing the judicial process to take its course.
He cited Chairman Wontumi as an example, claiming that several court decisions had found him to have engaged in illegal mining activities. He also referred to litigation involving Akonta Mining and alleged encroachment on protected forest reserves, arguing that these matters had long raised questions about the conduct of the party’s officials.
The former ambassador further criticised former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over his public defence of Akonta Mining during the controversy surrounding alleged mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
According to Dr Aidoo, the former President had a constitutional responsibility to protect Ghana’s forest reserves and should have taken stronger action against illegal mining instead of defending individuals facing such allegations.
Referring to Chairman Wontumi’s recent conviction and sentence, Dr Aidoo argued that the NPP’s decision to publicly back him reinforced what he described as a pattern of protecting party members rather than promoting accountability.
“If the NPP now decides to take on the defence of Wontumi after labelling him a political prisoner, then it means that the party has all along been encouraging its members to engage in criminal enterprises,” he said.
Dr Aidoo also criticised what he described as a broader culture of impunity, citing alleged cases of financial mismanagement and insisting that public office holders must be held accountable for their actions.
He maintained that accountability is a constitutional principle that should apply equally to all public officials, regardless of political affiliation.
“Nobody who serves in public office should be allowed to escape accountability,” he said.
