A photo collage of Chairman Wontumi (L) and Bryan Acheampong
Pius Enam Hadzide, spokesperson for Dr Bryan Acheampong, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has clarified the recent controversy surrounding Bryan Acheampong and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Speaking in an interview on Movement TV on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Pius dismissed claims of any friction between Chairman Wontumi and Bryan Acheampong who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Abetifi
He revealed that he had personally called Bryan Acheampong to seek clarification, and Bryan confirmed that there was no misunderstanding between him and Chairman Wontumi.
According to Pius, at the time of his call, the two were together at the Tang Palace Hotel having a personal conversation.
“First of all, let me say that Bryan Acheampong and Chairman Wontumi have no issues. The two of them are almost like brothers. That is why when Wontumi had an issue, Bryan went to support him,” Pius stated.
He further explained what transpired at a recent council meeting, which had fueled speculation of a rift.
“Even though I attended the council meeting with him, I wasn’t inside when the incident happened. But I learnt that while Bryan was speaking, Chairman Wontumi wanted to say something, so he asked Bryan to sit down and allow him. This was because when he [Wontumi] had issues, Bryan was there to support him.”
Pius emphasised that there was no fight between the two and described the social media reports as misleading.
“When I woke up and saw the issue on social media, I called Bryan, and he told me that he was with Wontumi at Tang Palace having a chat. He even asked if I wanted to speak to him directly. So clearly, they have no issues.”
It may be recalled that the Bono East Regional Secretary of the NPP, who is also an executive council member of the party David Boakye, revealed how Bryan Acheampong, allegedly shut down Chairman Wontumi, during a council meeting.
According to him, Bryan Acheampong, while addressing the council on recent comments by former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who had lamented neglect by the party, was urging the council to consider Kufuor’s concerns.
However, Chairman Wontumi interjected, raising an issue about former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s recent disclaimer, in which he denied media reports that he had attempted to postpone the NPP delegates’ conference slated for July 19, 2025.
Speaking in an interview on Movement TV on July 15, 2025, the Bono East Regional Secretary narrated that Bryan Acheampong was displeased with Wontumi’s interruption and told him to “sit down and shut up,” adding that he had been the one who bailed him when he faced issues with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
“Yesterday, Hon. Bryan was speaking regarding President Kufuor’s letter and was trying to make the executives reason with President Kufuor. Chairman also raised Nana Addo’s issue, confirming that the President hadn’t said anything about postponing the conference. So, while Bryan was speaking, Chairman tried to interject to make a statement.
“It was at that point that Bryan Acheampong said to him: Sit down and shut up; I just bailed you. Even though I don’t know if he was joking or serious, if he meant it, then it was not the best way to speak to the NPP Chairman,” he said.
The Bono East Regional Secretary added that while Bryan Acheampong might have been joking, such a statement was inappropriate if meant seriously.
“If he meant it, then it wasn’t on a good note. Your brother going into trouble shouldn’t be used against him. The situation Chairman Wontumi was in could have been resolved by himself, but the law did not permit that. So, if you do such a favour for someone, it doesn’t make the person your slave.
“I don’t want us to dwell too much on that, but once the story is published, I can’t deny it as a council member… it was a statement that came out, and we want to assume it was said in jest. But if he meant it, then it wasn’t the best,” he stressed.
It may be recalled that Bryan Acheampong played a crucial role in meeting the GH₵50 million bail conditions set by EOCO to secure Wontumi’s release after he was held in custody over alleged offences, including fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.
His release followed the fulfilment of a GH₵50 million bail condition, which required two justified sureties, with Bryan Acheampong reportedly using his properties to secure the bail.
AM/KA
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
