Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has stated that an apology from Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will not absolve him of any criminal wrongdoing if found culpable by the law.
His remarks come after Chairman Wontumi recently indicated that he would wholeheartedly apologise to President John Dramani Mahama if he had offended him or his family in any way.
Reacting in a social media post, Gbande stressed that President Mahama is not using state power to pursue personal vendettas and has no involvement in the legal cases currently facing the NPP regional chairman.
“For the avoidance of doubt, President Mahama is a forgiving leader with wisdom,” Gbande stated.
“Never will he use power to settle scores with people.”
He further emphasized that the President does not influence the ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving state institutions.
“It is important to emphasize that, as President, he has no hand in the ongoing accountability project by state institutions; he is not a clearing agent,” he wrote.
While acknowledging that apologising is a positive gesture, Gbande argued that it cannot erase allegations that may be criminal in nature.
“An apology is a good act but not a cure for an act that is found to be criminal or most likely to be criminal in nature by law,” he added.
Chairman Wontumi is currently facing a number of legal challenges, including cases related to alleged financial misconduct and illegal mining activities.
In a recent interview, Wontumi maintained that he is not above apologising and would gladly do so if given the opportunity.
“I am not bigger than any advice or apology. We apologise to our children when we offend them; how much more the first gentleman of the land? I am not bigger than an apology,” he said.
One of the cases involving the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman is expected to reach a crucial stage when judgment is delivered on July 3, 2026.
