Bernard 'Wontumi' Antwi-Boasiako has apologised to President John Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama over remarks he made against the first couple during the 2024 election campaign season.

His apology came together with an appeal for presidential mercy as he serves a 20-year sentence with hard labour at Nsawam Prison.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman has been convicted of illegal mining (galamsey) in the Samreboi Forest.

Chairman Wontumi's spokesperson, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, explained his boss's position on Citi FM.

"The first call is to render an apology, and I think that is important. Former Chairman renders an apology to him if, at some stage, the conversations went overboard, which was never intended," he said.

He cautioned that the apology and its timing should not be understood as meaning Chairman Wontumi's predicament has anything to do with being a political opponent of the president and his administration.

"Not at all," he emphasised.

He, however, acknowledged that making amends was the right thing to do.

"We are aware that in this country there are influences. If you are able to identify those influences and begin making amends, I think we build a better society for all of us to live in," he said.