The Spokesperson for the United Party, Solomon Owusu, has urged Ghanaians not to allow emotions to influence their reaction to the 20-year prison sentence handed to New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Commenting on the judgment in an exclusive interview with Classfmonline.com, Mr Owusu said the case should be viewed through the lens of the law rather than political or emotional considerations.

"The law has caught up with Wontumi, and rightly so," he said.

He cautioned against allowing "emotional elements" into the matter, insisting that the focus should remain on enforcing the law against illegal mining.

Mr Owusu argued that the effects of illegal mining (galamsey) have had devastating consequences for public health.

He claimed the practice has contributed to deformities in babies, blindness, menstrual complications in women and other health challenges.

"If people knew what galamsey is doing to our health, I'm sure they would have called for a harsher sanction, a punitive judgement," he said.

According to him, illegal mining is also reducing life expectancy, adding that those whose activities contribute to the destruction should not expect lenient treatment under the law.

"Our life expectancy reduces significantly. It's all as a result of illegal mining. So someone whose activities are fast-tracking the death of humanity, why should the law deal with him in a soft manner?" he said.