The Ashanti Regional Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Kwabena Yandoh, says the imprisonment of the party's Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has taken a personal and financial toll on him.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Mr Yandoh — who is contesting for the NPP's Ashanti Regional Secretary position and has publicly enjoyed Wontumi's backing — said he had been unable to grant media interviews since news of the conviction broke, overwhelmed by emotion.

"I have cried a lot since the news broke yesterday," he said.

He described Wontumi's imprisonment as deeply personal.

"NDC is really harming me. This is my fight. It is not a small issue. It is a sad issue. I have cried a lot since the news broke yesterday," he said.

Mr Yandoh also questioned the 20-year prison sentence handed to the NPP regional chairman.

"If you say you are putting someone in jail for 20 years... How long did even Jesus Christ live for? How then can you put Wontumi in prison for 20 years?" he asked.

He maintained that Wontumi was innocent of the illegal mining offences for which he was convicted, alleging that a witness had falsely testified against him.

"Someone rather went onto his land. You caught the culprit, freed them and asked them to be a witness against your landlord so we imprison him. And since he loves his wife and her cooking, he came to bear false witness," he alleged.

Mr Yandoh said the conviction had also hurt him financially.

"I'm seriously pained, I don't know what to do. My finances are in shambles. It is Wontumi who was bearing me up," he said.