Minority Members of Parliament have staged a walkout from parliamentary proceedings in protest of the continued detention of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The MPs expressed their disapproval of the Economic and Organized Crime Office’s (EOCO) handling of the case, accusing the agency of unjust treatment.
Chairman Wontumi, who has been granted bail of GH¢50 million with two sureties, reportedly spent the night in custody after failing to meet the full bail conditions. His lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi, confirmed that he is under investigation for alleged financial loss to the state.
Addressing Parliament on May 29, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin announced that the Minority would boycott parliamentary business until EOCO reviews and eases the bail conditions to allow for Wontumi’s release.
“The NPP side—however our numbers—we will protest by absenting ourselves from the proceedings of this House,” Afenyo-Markin declared.
In a symbolic act before leaving the chamber, the Minority MPs chanted a line from Ghana’s national anthem: “And help us to resist oppressors’ rule with all our will and might forevermore.”
Following the walkout, they announced plans to march to EOCO’s offices, located about 30 minutes from Parliament, to press home their demands.
The Minority has also called on their counterparts on the Majority side to join them in solidarity.
