Former Member of Parliament for Madina, Alhaji Amadu Sorogho, has raised concerns over the approach used by security personnel during the recent attempted arrest of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In an interview with Channel One TV, Sorogho questioned the need for a heavily armed presence at Wontumi’s residence, even though a warrant was reportedly obtained.
“Wontumi was invited, and he refused to honour the invitation. I am not in favour of so many armed men going after one person. To me, it is not because the state is more powerful than the individual.
“There are so many avenues you can use to call the person, and if the person doesn’t come, you can even go to court. But I am happy that they went with the warrant. Maybe the mode is what I am talking about, but not the actual deed itself,” Sorogho stated.
The former MP emphasized the need for the state to exercise its authority with restraint, adding that the use of force must be proportional and respectful of the individual’s dignity—especially in a politically charged environment.
His comments come on the heels of public uproar surrounding the attempted raid on Wontumi’s Kumasi residence by law enforcement on Friday, May 23. The operation, which was reportedly backed by a court warrant, has since been met with mixed reactions, including accusations of political intimidation.
Reacting to the incident on Akoma FM, Chairman Wontumi expressed his outrage, suggesting that the move was part of a deliberate political witch-hunt by the current administration under President John Dramani Mahama.
“Am I not a Ghanaian anymore? Now that you’ve won the election and become President, does that mean I’m no longer a Ghanaian?” Wontumi questioned, his voice tinged with frustration.
He further alleged that efforts were being made to cripple his businesses and curtail his freedom, adding that he has never held a government appointment to warrant such treatment.
“Ghanaians, rise! Arise, Ghanaians! All NPP supporters should rise. It is because of you that Mahama is treating me this way,” he declared in an emotionally charged plea.
While the full details surrounding the reason for the warrant remain unclear, Sorogho’s balanced perspective adds a noteworthy layer to the conversation. Though he defended the legal right of the state to act, he was critical of what he termed an unnecessary show of force.
