Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, has tackled Ghanaian media personality Kwame Sefa Kayi over his remarks questioning why illegal mining activities continue despite the imprisonment of Wontumi.
According to A Plus, the imprisonment of individuals involved in criminal activities does not automatically bring an end to the crimes.
The Gomoa Central MP questioned the reasoning behind Sefa Kayi’s question, citing Pablo Escobar death in 1993, quizzing whether it ended cocaine trafficking.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, November 4, 2026, Kwame A Plus wrote, “Don’t confuse punishing an offender with ending an entire crime.
Pablo Escobar was killed on 2 December 1993. Did cocaine trafficking die with him? Since then, El Chapo and the Cali Cartel leaders have also been convicted and sentenced to decades in prison.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in 2023 alone, an estimated 2.6 million people worldwide were prosecuted for drug offences and 1.4 million were convicted. Yet the drug trade continues.
Imprisonment holds individuals accountable. It does not automatically eliminate the crime!
Police have been arresting ashawo people at East Legon since. Has ashawo stopped? Ataa Ayi was jailed for armed robbery; has armed robbery stopped?”
His comment follows Kwami Sefa Kayi has questioned why illegal mining activities continue to threaten Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies despite the arrest and jailing of former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Sefa Kayi raised the concern during an interview with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman for the Krowor Constituency, Abdulai Sakara, on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo programme on Monday, November 2, 2026.
The discussion centred on the NDC’s commitment to tackling illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and its promise to pursue individuals suspected of financing or facilitating the destructive activity.
Abdulai Sakara maintained that the party would not protect anyone involved in galamsey, insisting that the government remained committed to holding those responsible accountable.
However, Sefa Kayi challenged the position, pointing to the continued destruction of water bodies and forest reserves despite the prosecution and imprisonment of Wontumi, who has been accused of involvement in illegal mining.
Sefa Kayi questioned what tangible impact the action against the former NPP regional chairman had made in the broader fight against the menace.
“But how come that after arresting Wontumi and jailing him, galamsey hasn’t stopped?” he asked.
The broadcaster’s question also came amid concerns over allegations linking some NDC officials, including National Organiser Joseph Yammin and Third National Vice Chairman Alhassan Yakubu Abanga, to illegal mining activities.
It will be recalled that Wontumi has been in custody at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison since his conviction in July in a case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited.
Wontumi was sentenced by an Accra High Court to 20 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of offences related to mining activities on the company’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.
Some netizens reacting to the development stated, “When Atta Ayi was jailed, I guess there are no more robberies in the country. Sometimes I am worried about the certificates we hold oo”.
An X user added, “Honourable, for the first time commenting on ur post and I must say you nailed it. What a perfect answer to a sinister question lol”.
“But NDC made us believe he’s the head of the galamsey kingpins so once they get hold of him, galamsey will end”, a netizen stated.
One more Ghanaian added, “Very good response to someone who thought he was making sense without considering the flawed logic/assumption in his statement.”
Additionally, one last X user added, “Anyway, this analogy of yours brings out the victimisation truly well. Wontumi didn’t start Galamsey, and neither is he ending it. He is only carrying the cross of all Galamseyers. He was selected to suffer it”.
See the post below:
@ghnow_ A PassionAir flight carrying Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, actor Kwadwo Nkansah Lil Win and former Bantama MP Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu reportedly encountered a frightening mid-air incident while travelling from Kumasi to Accra. Lil Win has since shared scenes from the experience. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Ghanaian fashion designer and reality TV personality Elikem the Tailor has arrived at Black Star Fashion Week, currently underway at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra. #GHNow #BlackStarFashionWeek ♬ Onyame Mmo – Mandem Yopic
