In a striking demonstration of political dissent, members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament conducted a sit-in outside the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) headquarters in Accra on Thursday, May 29, to call for the release of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, who serves as the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Dressed in black and red, the MPs marched from Parliament and occupied sections of the street directly in front of EOCO’s office in Accra Central, capturing considerable public attention.
The protest, characterized by chants and demands for justice, caused traffic to come to a halt and attracted a significant police presence as security forces sought to maintain order.
The Minority MPs, spearheaded by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, condemned what they referred to as political persecution and the use of state institutions as weapons against political adversaries.
This sit-in is a reaction to Wontumi’s ongoing detention by EOCO after he failed to fulfill the conditions of a GH₵50 million bail that was granted on Wednesday, May 28.
Wontumi was apprehended on Tuesday, May 27, following a summons from the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service. He is under investigation for alleged financial misconduct involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIMBANK).
Although EOCO has provided him with bail, the stipulations—requiring two sureties to be justified—have not yet been completely met.
NPP National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, criticized what he termed the “growing politicization of EOCO.”
The protest has intensified an already charged political climate, with numerous observers interpreting the Minority’s actions as an unprecedented display of unity.
In the meantime, EOCO has remained silent regarding the issue, declining to provide comments on the specifics of the ongoing investigation.
Sources close to the case have suggested that the inquiry may involve intricate financial transactions associated with state funds and mining interests.
As Wontumi’s legal team hurries to fulfill bail requirements, political tensions persist, with the case evolving into a representation of wider issues regarding justice, due process, and the autonomy of Ghana’s investigative bodies.
