Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, an aspiring National Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), has dismissed criticism about his English proficiency.
Wontumi argued that people keep saying he does not speak good English, but that does not bother him as he is not in an English-speaking competition.
According to Wontumi, his focus is to regain power in the 2028 general elections and is not bothered by comments questioning his academic credentials or English.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Chairman Wontumi said, “People saying I don’t speak good English doesn’t stop me. I’m unperturbed. 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”.
“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”.
“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.
“We had elite leaders for the 2024 elections, and we lost, so why don’t we try the grassroots as well? ” he questioned.
Wontumi further argued, “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”.
“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.
“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.
“We will work collectively, and the NPP is going to work again,” he added.
In related news, Wontumi, some months ago, gave an inspiring speech as he aspires to become the national chairman of the party.
According to Chairman Wontumi, leadership in politics is broader than academic qualifications alone.
Speaking to some NPP delegates, Chairman Wontumi stated, “Leadership in politics is broader than academic qualifications alone. Across the world, we have seen this truth: leaders like Abraham Lincoln had limited formal education, yet shaped a nation’s true vision and were resilient. Winston Churchill was not defined by academic brilliance, yet he led Britain through its darkest hour.
Donald Trump, despite not being a career academic politician, mobilised and led one of the most powerful political movements in modern America. Many successful global political leaders have risen not just from the classroom but from practical experience, organisation and connection to the people.
What these examples show is that leadership is not only about learning in the classroom”, he added.
Also, Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said he completed Prempeh College, but his certificate is still there at the school.
Wontumi disclosed that his limited proficiency in the English language will not deter his ability to lead the party and restore it to power in the 2028 elections.
According to Wontumi, he completed Prempeh College, but his certificate is still at the school.
Speaking to party faithfuls during a programme, Wontumi narrated, “I was going to contest the Ashanti Regional Chairman position against former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s deputy minister. If you look at someone who has been an MP for 16 years and compare that to me, who has served as a constituency chairman twice, you would think it was impossible.
“One day, I was invited by a radio station to debate Hon Osei Prempeh, whom I was contesting, in English. This was the toughest election I had ever contested. I had finished Prempeh College, but my certificate is still there. I don’t have it, and how can I debate him in English?”
Wontumi added, “On the day of the debate, the host called me several times, but I declined. I asked myself, how could I, without a certificate, debate a lawyer?
“The host insisted that if I didn’t show up, it would go against me. But I told him that while he had his perspective, I knew I could do the job. You cannot judge me simply because I cannot speak English.”
See the post below:
Investigator admits no evidence links Akonta Mining to the equipment; only an alleged connection between an individual and one machine was established. – Wontumi’s Lawyer #GHNow pic.twitter.com/SjldXkobNE
— GHnow (@ghnow_) June 8, 2026
