On May 29, the Minority caucus in Parliament issued a strong threat to boycott all legislative proceedings, demanding the immediate release of Bernard Antwi Bosiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party.
This significant escalation stemmed from the GH¢50 million bail condition imposed on Chairman Wontumi by the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO).
The Minority Leader, addressing the House yesterday, articulated the caucus’s firm stance, asserting that EOCO’s actions demonstrated “capriciousness and bias.” He underscored their argument by referencing Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution, which explicitly states: “Where in this Constitution or in any other law discretionary power is vested in any person or authority – (a) that discretionary power shall be deemed to imply a duty to be fair and candid; (b) the exercise of the discretionary power shall not be arbitrary, capricious or biased wither by resentment, prejudice or personal dislike and shall be in accordance with due process of law.”
The leader conveyed the Minority’s conviction that the bail condition was a deliberate measure intended to penalize the Regional Chairman, declaring that their participation in parliamentary affairs would cease until EOCO took corrective action. Subsequently, the caucus, under the leadership of Alexander Afenyo-Markin, initiated a walkout following a successful motion for the adjournment of the House.
The protest commenced around 2:30 PM from the Parliament premises, with members marching past the Sports Stadium and along the route from the Volta River Authority towards the Old Parliament House, the location of EOCO. Throughout their march, they audibly expressed their dissent through patriotic songs and the party’s anthem.
Notable figures present during the demonstration included Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei, Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, 2nd Deputy Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib, former Minister for Education Dr. Yaw Adutwum, and former Housing Minister Kwadwo Oppong Nkrumah. They were later joined by Kobina Tahir Hammond, former Minister for Trade and Industry and former Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, whose office is conveniently located nearby in the Octagon building.
Upon reaching the EOCO premises, the protestors were denied access by armed police personnel guarding the entrance. After a period of waiting without any official from EOCO emerging to engage with them, the Minority members, left with no alternative, sat down on the ground in the middle of the road directly in front of the EOCO building.
As of approximately 6:30 PM, with no resolution or response from EOCO, the Minority Leader was observed entering his vehicle, while his colleagues began to disperse, some returning to Parliament on foot. The Minority has indicated their intent to continue these protests today, pledging to persist until EOCO addresses what they deem as an unjust situation.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
