“Ato Forson Speaks no Better English Than me” – Chairman Wontumi

Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has raised eyebrows with his recent critique of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the current Minority Leader in Parliament. Wontumi, known for his outspoken nature, remarked that Ato Forson’s language proficiency does not surpass his own, questioning his suitability as a replacement for the articulate Haruna Iddrisu.

Chairman Wontumi highlighted what he described as a strategic move by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to oust prominent figures like Haruna Iddrisu and Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed from their leadership positions, allegedly to safeguard John Dramani Mahama’s presidential aspirations.

Expressing discontent, Wontumi suggested that the NDC has struggled to find individuals of comparable stature to fill the roles vacated by their predecessors, resulting in what he perceives as a weakened Minority front.

In a lighthearted tone, Wontumi remarked, “As for Ato Forson, he speaks no better English than my broken English. We all make the same grammatical mistakes. It’s just that when I speak my English, it brings money.”

During his appearance on Abusua Nkomo, Wontumi further commented on the diminished influence of Alhaji Muntaka after losing his position as the Minority Chief Whip, attributing this decline to John Dramani Mahama’s actions.

The NDC underwent significant restructuring in January 2023, which saw a complete overhaul of its parliamentary leadership under Haruna Iddrisu. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister and MP for Ajumako Enyam Essiam, assumed the mantle of Minority Leader in the wake of these changes. Additionally, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah and Kwame Agbodza took up key roles as Deputy Minority Leader and Minority Whip, respectively, as part of the revamped leadership lineup.