Presidential Special Envoy to the Caribbean Region Kwasi Kyei Darkwah (KKD) has appealed for empathy and clemency for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Speaking on Starr FM's 'Starr Chat' with Bola Ray, KKD said he recently cautioned someone who was ridiculing Wontumi over the 20-year prison sentence he is serving following his conviction in an illegal mining (galamsey) case.

According to him, no one knows what challenges they may face in the future and people should be careful not to mock others in difficult situations.

"One of our friends was laughing at Wontumi to me, and I told him: 'No, be careful. You have so many years ahead of you. You don't know what you can also do,'" he said.

KKD said while he was certain he would not engage in corruption, he could not predict every circumstance he might encounter in life and so has chosen to approach such tough situations with consideration. 

He voiced his support for calls for mercy for Chairman Wontumi, whom he described as a brother. "I know I will not be corrupt. That I know. But I don't know what I may also do. So, what we must do is stop bragging about the money people have and say our brother did wrong and we must beg for him," KKD said.