Aspiring National Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has brushed aside criticism of his English proficiency, insisting that effective leadership is measured by service, experience and results rather than language fluency.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Wontumi said comments about his academic credentials and command of English do not concern him and will not distract him from his ambition of helping the NPP return to power in the 2028 general elections.
“People saying I don’t speak good English doesn’t stop me. I’m unperturbed,” he stated.
According to him, his decision to contest for the position of NPP National Chairman is motivated by a desire to serve the party and strengthen its grassroots structures, not to seek prestige or participate in what he described as an “English-speaking competition.”
“I’m not in the national chairmanship race for an English-speaking competition. I’m in it to serve the people, and I will always speak the language the grassroots understand,” he said.
Wontumi argued that the party’s focus should be on securing electoral victory rather than placing excessive emphasis on academic qualifications and titles.
“I’m not here to spoil our constitution but to fulfil it and claim victory for the party. I don’t think the party is concerned about titles; rather, the party wants power,” he noted.
The three-time Ashanti Regional Chairman cited his extensive experience within the NPP as his strongest qualification for the national chairmanship position.
“My certificate is my experience. I have been in this for 20 years. I have been the regional chairman three consecutive times. I have the party constitution at heart,” he stated.
Reflecting on the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections, Wontumi suggested that the NPP should give greater consideration to grassroots leadership.
“We had elite leaders for the 2024 elections, and we lost, so why don’t we try the grassroots as well?” he questioned.
He pledged to help rebuild the party and address the shortcomings that contributed to its electoral setback.
“I am coming to alleviate us from the pain of the election we lost. We have learned from our mistakes, and we are going to correct all of them,” he said.
Wontumi further argued that his election as National Chairman would inspire ordinary party members by demonstrating that dedication and hard work can lead to leadership opportunities regardless of educational background.
“If I am made chairman, it will debunk all the allegations that if you don’t have a certificate, you can’t rise in the ranks in the NPP. It will give everyone hope that if you work well at the party, you can be promoted to higher positions,” he stated.
He also pledged to bridge the gap between the party’s grassroots base and its intellectual and professional wings, promising an inclusive style of leadership.
“The grassroots, for the first time, will partner with academia. I am going to be a chairman for everyone—a working chairman, a grassroots chairman, and a listening chairman,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the party’s future, Wontumi said a united NPP would be well-positioned to reclaim political power in the next general election.
“We will work collectively, and the NPP is going to work again,” he added.
