According to Chairman Tomtom, as he is popularly known, party members who had gone independent are now planning to return to the party.

He said, “The moment we took Opoku Prempeh to the National Executive Committee (NEC), he promised to speak to the independent candidates. I am confident that within a week, all independent candidates will come back to the NPP to help the party come to power.”

He made this known in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday.

Chairman Tomtom also pledged his commitment to ensuring that the election is free and fair.

“There will be no insults. We must ensure peace,” he stated.

Chairman Tomtom stressed the need to have a strong leadership in the region.

“To go for elections, you need the numbers because Manhyia South is a stronghold of the NPP. Manhyia has never made a mistake in voting.As a chairman, I need to get someone who can pull numbers and maintain Napo’s percentage. With a regional chairman like Wontumi and a running mate like Napo, the results will definitely improve.”

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He said Dr Opoku Prempeh, alias Napo, the MP for Manhyia South, has exhibited these traits since he entered politics.

It is no wonder that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia chose him as his running mate, which the National Council of the party overwhelmingly endorsed, he stressed.

Speaking on Okay FM, Mr Ofori Atta affectionately called Tom Tom encouraged all party members, no matter where they find themselves to “take lessons from the Napo example”.

“No matter where you find yourself in the party, even at the grassroots, try to work hard, embrace and help others so that when an opportunity comes you will be considered,” he urged party members.

Future of Ghana

Describing the running mate as a great choice, Tom Tom said there is no doubt that the Bawumia-Opoku Prempeh ticket represents the future of Ghana.

“I am very sure that the pair will lead the NPP to victory in the elections, ” he added.

With the running mate coming from the party’s stronghold of Ashanti Region, Tom Tom said  the region will show massive gratitude to the NPP in the elections.

“Luckily, we have a committed and workaholic regional chairman in the person of Chairman Wontumi. Everybody knows his hard work, especially his tremendous contributions that led to the NPP securing a historic victory from opposition in 2016, as well as the victory of 2020.

“Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is also a household name in the region due to his delivery as a politician especially at the grassroots. So if you have two such great leaders in your stronghold, there is no doubt that their combined efforts will pay off.”

The Manhyia South constituency chairman described Thursday’s endorsement of Dr Opoku Prempeh as a glorious day for the NPP.

“As someone who has moved with him for many years, I can say without any shred of equivocation that he is a good man.The dream that our flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had regarding his choice of running mate came true.

“As the chairman of the constituency, I feel really proud but it is a victory for the NPP as a whole.”

Tom Tom again said everyone who has come close to Napo will attest to his humility and openness.

“Unfortunately, in Ghana, anybody who is brave and assertive is misconstrued as being arrogant.

“But, anyone who has come close to Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh will attest to his humility. At both the ministries of education and energy, his story has been very positive.

“He has helped many people in the party, no wonder many party members were rooting for him to become the running mate.”

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His threat comes after Mr. Ofori-Atta alleged that, Wontumi is engaged in influence peddling in the selection process for the NPP’s running mate.

He also claimed Chairman Wontumi, a prominent supporter of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, of allegedly “selling” the NPP’s vice-presidential slot to the highest bidder.

In a statement released through his aide, Chairman Wontumi described the allegation as baseless propaganda and urged the public to disregard it.

He has given Mr. Ofori-Atta a 48-hour ultimatum to either substantiate the the claims or retract and apologise.

The statement said failure on Ofori-Atta’s part to comply with this ultimatum would leave Wontumi with no choice but to pursue legal action against him.

“While the public is urged to dismiss and disregard these unfounded claims as they are bereft of, and lack, substance, Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori-Atta is given 48 hours to either substantiate these allegations or render an unqualified apology to Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and the Party in the Ashanti Region.

“There would be no other option than to take legal action against him should he fail to do so,” the statement asserted.

Read full statement:

Read below the full statement

SUBSTANTIATE YOUR CLAIMS AGAINST CHAIRMAN WONTUMI OR APOLOGISE IN 48 HOURS, OR FACE LEGAL ACTIONS

Our attention has been drawn to a vicious smear campaign against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, about the selection of a running mate to partner with our Flagbearer, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for the 2024 Presidential Elections.

According to some malicious claims made by the Manhyia South Constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta, also known as TomTom, which was monitored on Accra-based Okay FM, the Ashanti Regional Chairman has been “trading the presidential running mate slot of the party for his personal gains.”

He repeated these unfounded allegations in a separate interview with Sompa FM, the same day, Monday, 11th March 2024, and went further to subtly accuse the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Osei Yaw Adutwum and the late Hon. Lawyer Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, of “paying bribes” to Chairman Wontumi for the running mate position.

These unsubstantiated claims are totally unfortunate and reprehensible, particularly when they seek to demean the reputation of, not only Chairman Wontumi, but also that of Dr. Adutwum, and most abhorrently, the reputation of our departed brother, Dr. John Kumah, whose passing is barely a week old.

Well, it is necessary to educate Tomtom and all those who have bought into this vile propaganda that; while Chairman Wontumi, as the Ashanti Regional Chairman and member of the National Council of the party, would undoubtedly have a say in the consultative process leading to the selection of a Running Mate, the ultimate decision lies with the Flagbearer. Every Tom, Dick and Harry in the party know this fact. So it beggars belief TomTom would want to push this derisive narrative regarding astute senior members of our party and in government “paying” monies to Chairman Wontumi for the Running Mate position.

It is however not surprising that TomTom would seize the moment to defame the reputation of these personalities, as it has been his methods and modus operandi these past two months or more, particularly when he perceives one does not sympathise with his “interest”.

Indeed, TomTom, in recent months, has conducted himself in such a brutally cynical manner, demonstrating his utter disregard for authority and high offices in the party, which even the National Organiser was not spared. The fabricated claims of disrespect for the Asantehene he (TomTom) made against Chairman Wontumi is still fresh in our minds.

Ordinarily, these unfounded claims would not have been glorified with a response as Chairman Wontumi is usually unfazed by such acts, especially when he is currently distraught and devastated by the untimely demise of his faithful brother and loyal friend, Dr. John Kumah.

However, the timing of these insensitive pronouncements of TomTom clearly shows that, the orchestrated and coordinated attempt to undermine the leadership of the Regional Chairman since the latter’s reelection about two (2) years ago has reached such crescendo where all persons, dead or alive, affiliated to him, are not spared.

It is therefore worthy to note that, the continued nonchalant shrug of Chairman Wontumi towards this conduct of TomTom, in the interest of the Party’s cohesion and unity, could rather become a harbinger for more of such acts, which would go a long way to harm the very cohesion and unity we seek to preserve ahead of the 2024 Presidential Elections. Although there is no blazing fury among the party people, there is a simmering discontent with the behaviour of Tomtom, which if not quickly dealt with, would spark reactions and counter-accusations in the region.

While the public is urged to dismiss and disregard these unfounded claims as they are bereft of, and lack, substance, Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori-Atta is given Forty Eight(48) hours to either substantiate these allegations or render an unqualified apology to Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and the Party in the Ashanti Region. There would be no other option than to take legal action against him should he fail to do so.

Signed,
Nana Poku Frefre
(Political Assistant, Chairman Wontumi)

GA/SARA

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