“We stand with Chairman Wontumi and all NPP members under attack. Ghana deserves better than cheap propaganda and baseless allegations.”
A statement issued on May 30, 2025, by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Western North Region, has categorically dismissed allegations circulated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) concerning Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The claims, which centre on the purported award of a $45.2 million contract for two road projects in Ghana’s Western North Region—namely the Akontombra–Dadieso and Awaso–Asawinso roads; have been described as baseless and politically motivated.
According to the statement signed by Addo Yaw Harry (Ogyaba), Communications Officer, the NDC’s actions constitute a deliberate propaganda effort employing classic disinformation and name-calling strategies aimed at undermining public trust in the NPP and its leadership.
The NPP contends that the circulation of the alleged contract letter is part of a broader psychological and media manipulation campaign designed to falsely associate party officials with corruption.
The Western North NPP argued that such tactics were intellectually dishonest and strategically crafted to damage reputations rather than contribute meaningfully to public discourse.
They called for a more responsible engagement in political communication, emphasising the need for evidence-based critique over what they characterised as orchestrated misinformation.
“We stand with Chairman Wontumi and all NPP members under attack. Ghana deserves better than cheap propaganda and baseless allegations,” the statement said.
The following is the full official statement issued by the Western North Region Branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP):
30th May, 2025
PRESS STATEMENT
EXPOSING NDC’S DESPERATE PROPAGANDA AGAINST CHAIRMAN WONTUMI
We have noted with grave concern a calculated and deceptive propaganda campaign being orchestrated by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) targeting our stalwart, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The NDC, in its usual attempt to smear the image of the New Patriotic Party and brand it falsely as a corrupt party, has deliberately circulated a purported contract award letter alleging that Chairman Wontumi has been paid a full amount of forty-five million, one hundred and ninety-nine thousand, five hundred and twenty-six dollars ($45,199,526.96) for two major road projects in the Western North Region, namely:
- Akontombra – Dadieso Road
- Awaso – Asawinso Road
This propaganda is not only false, misleading, and intellectually insulting, but it also constitutes a deliberate psychological and media warfare tactic rooted in classic “Disinformation” and “Name-calling” propaganda techniques. These tactics are used to discredit political opponents by spreading deliberate lies and associating them with wrongdoing to create public doubt and anger.
I wish to set the record straight and expose the deceit and intellectual dishonesty behind the NDC’s claims:
THE FACT ON THE GROUND, AKONTOMBRA- DADIESO ROAD
As a native of the Akontombra Constituency, I can confirm the real-time progress of the project:
- Clearing works are completed.
- Major drainage systems including bridges and culverts are done, with the construction of the Fanoma River Bridge currently ongoing.
These visible works clearly debunk the claim that no work has been done on the project.
UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT OF GHANA’S PROJECT PAYMENT SYSTEM STRUCTURE UNDER FORMER PRESIDENT, H.E NANA ADDO
The NDC’s ignorance or deliberate distortion of Ghana’s road contract execution process under H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stewardship is worrying. For clarity, here is how the system works:
- No mobilization fund is paid upfront. Contractors used their own resources to begin work.
- Payments were done in phases, based on actual work completed and verified.
- Contractors submit payment certificates, which are thoroughly vetted by engineers from the Ghana Highway Authority and other oversight bodies before any payment is made.
- No contractor is paid in full upfront, and there is no way a final payment is made without physical work done.
The NDC propagandists merely shared an award letter and created an image in the mindset of the readers that, such amount of money has been paid to chairman wontumi by the previous administration. This is an evidence act coated as propaganda.
Where is the evidence of payment? Where is the certificate of payment ?
AWARD LETTER VS. PAYMENT CERTIFICATE, KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
To further expose the NDC’s deception, let us educate the public on the key differences between a contract award letter and a payment certificate:
AWARD LETTER:
- A formal document issued to a contractor to indicate approval to execute a project.
- It does not confirm any payment.
- It outlines the project details, scope, and contract sum.
PAYMENT CERTIFICATE
- Issued only after a contractor has completed a verified phase of work.
- It serves as a basis for payment and is subject to thorough vetting by engineers and project supervisors.
- It is the only legitimate evidence that payment has been made.
I therefore challenge the NDC: If indeed full payment has been made, where is the payment certificate?
STOP THE MILITARY-STYLE INTIMIDATION OF NPP MEMBERS
The recent heavy handed treatment and unreasonable bail conditions imposed on Chairman Wontumi are clear signs of state sponsored intimidation. The use of military style tactics to target political opponents is a dangerous erosion of democracy and must be resisted by all peace loving Ghanaians.
CALL TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
We call on all discerning Ghanaians to:
- Disregard the lies being peddled by the NDC propagandists.
- Demand transparency from the NDC by asking them to publish the payment certificate if they claim a full payment was made.
- Recognize this campaign for what it is: A desperate attempt to divert attention from their own governance failures.
SUMMARY
This is not just an attack on Chairman Wontumi , it is an attack on truth, on development, and on the intelligence of the Ghanaian voter. We will not allow propaganda to replace progress, and we will not allow lies to triumph over leadership.
We stand with Chairman Wontumi and all NPP members under attack. Ghana deserves better than cheap propaganda and baseless allegations.
SIGNED
Addo Yaw Harry (Ogyaba) Communications Officer
New Patriotic Party, Western North Region
Email: addoharry.tigo@gmail.com
Contact: 0242814121
Story: Lawal Mohammed
