Politics of 2026-11-04
'Did cocaine trafficking die with Pablo Escobar?' – A Plus bites Sefa Kayi over Wontumi jail comment
The Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, has taken a swipe at media personality Kwame Sefa Kayi over his comments questioning why illegal mining activities continue despite the imprisonment of former Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
A Plus argued that the imprisonment of individuals involved in criminal activities does not automatically bring an end to the crimes they are accused of committing.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, November 4, 2026, he challenged the reasoning behind Sefa Kayi's question, drawing comparisons with international drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
“Don't confuse punishing an offender with ending an entire crime,” he wrote.
To buttress his argument, A Plus cited the example of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, who was killed on December 2, 1993, but whose death did not bring an end to cocaine trafficking.
He also referenced the convictions and imprisonment of Mexican drug lord Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán and leaders of the Cali Cartel, arguing that the drug trade has continued despite the prosecution of major figures associated with it.
According to A Plus, figures from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) show that an estimated 2.6 million people worldwide were prosecuted for drug offences in 2023, while 1.4 million were convicted.
He argued that the figures demonstrate that punishing individuals, although necessary for accountability, does not necessarily eliminate wider criminal activity.
“Imprisonment holds individuals accountable. It does not automatically eliminate the crime!” he added.
A Plus further cited prostitution and armed robbery in Ghana as examples of criminal activities that have persisted despite arrests and imprisonment.
He questioned whether prostitution had stopped because police had repeatedly arrested sex workers in East Legon, and whether armed robbery had ended following the imprisonment of notorious armed robber Ataa Ayi.
His comments come after Kwame Sefa Kayi questioned why illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to devastate forest reserves and water bodies despite the imprisonment of Chairman Wontumi.
How come galamsey hasn’t stopped after jailing Wontumi? - Kwami Sefa Kayi asks
The host of Peace FM's “Kokrokoo” raised the concern on November 2, 2026, during an interview with National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman for the Krowor Constituency, Abdulai Sakara.
During the discussion, Sakara maintained that the NDC would not spare anyone involved in illegal mining, insisting that the party remained committed to fulfilling its promise to tackle the menace by pursuing individuals believed to be behind the activities.
However, Sefa Kayi challenged that position, questioning why galamsey had not stopped following Wontumi's arrest and imprisonment.
“But how come that after arresting Wontumi and jailing him, galamsey hasn't stopped?” he asked.
See his post below:
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