KEY POINTS

• Ghana Prisons Service is investigating an alleged plot to poison Chairman Wontumi.

• His aide reported the allegation, but authorities have not verified it.

• The Service says Wontumi is safe and has not confirmed reports that five inmates were transferred.

The Ghana Prisons Service has launched an investigation into an allegation that some inmates attempted to poison Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Service confirmed the investigation after receiving information about the alleged plot through Wontumi’s aide, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah.

Prison authorities said the investigation would establish whether the allegation was true and determine what action should be taken if anyone was found responsible. They also assured the public that Wontumi was safe in custody.

Alleged plot reported by Wontumi’s aide

Dr Boakye-Danquah reportedly said Wontumi informed him about the alleged threat during a meeting following the politician’s court appearance on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

According to the aide, some inmates had allegedly discussed a plan to poison Wontumi while he was being held at Nsawam Prison. He said he subsequently contacted prison authorities to bring the matter to their attention.

The allegation has not been independently verified, and the Prisons Service has not established publicly whether an attempted poisoning occurred.

Prisons Service says Wontumi did not report incident directly

The Service’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Prisons Abdul Latif Adamu, confirmed that an investigation had commenced.

He explained that the information came from Wontumi’s spokesperson rather than from the politician himself directly.

Adamu said the authorities were seeking to establish the facts before deciding on any further action. Although prison officials said they were surprised by the allegation, they maintained that it had to be investigated because of their responsibility to protect inmates.

The spokesperson also described attempted poisoning of fellow prisoners or prison officers as uncommon in Ghanaian correctional facilities.

Authorities deny confirmation of inmate transfers

Wontumi’s aide also alleged that five inmates had been moved to different cells after their reported discussions about the alleged poisoning plot.

However, the Prisons Service said it could not confirm that any inmates had been relocated in connection with the incident.

The Service has therefore not established publicly whether the reported transfers took place or whether any prisoners were involved in a plan against Wontumi.

Authorities have said they intend to make the findings of their investigation public once the process is completed.

Wontumi serving 20-year prison sentence

Wontumi, a prominent NPP figure and former Ashanti Regional Chairman, is serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction over mining activities on his Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

His conviction was linked to permitting mining activities on the concession without the required approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

The poisoning allegation has drawn attention to his safety while in custody. However, the Prisons Service has maintained that he is safe and is subject to the same rules and regulations as other inmates.

The investigation is expected to determine whether there is evidence to support the allegation and whether any disciplinary or other action is warranted.