Video: Beat Up Any ‘Unauthorized’ Soldier, Police Who Attempt To Stop You From Mining – NPP PC To Small Scale Miners

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Amenfi East, Ernest Frimpong has been captured in a video calling for assault on soldiers and other security officials who will attempt to hinder their activities.

The candidate is seen making the statement while addressing a group of small scale miners (SSM) in the area.

“Operation halt, galamstop, whatever, whatever, soldiers that ambush you, we have cancelled all those operations and officially they do not have permission to run such operations again.

“So, if anyone comes to your site, you have the right to question him on his mission there,” he told the miners in the Twi language.

“If he says he is on patrol, then that is good because the patrol by the police and the security services protects you and reduces the incidents of robbery. So if from your own will you part ways with 3 million, 5 million or 10 million for him to use for fuel, you are just helping him and I won’t speak against it.”, he added.

“But if anyone comes around and says because he is a soldier, leave the site and dismantle your machines, don’t be moved by the uniform he is wearing, if he beats you, equally beat him. Fight him, I will come to your defense,” he charged the miners to a rousing applause.

It is not known when exactly the said video was taken.

However, the candidate, who was talking in the presence of the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah and some party executives in the region, defended his call by reiterating that no official operation has been sanctioned for soldiers to stop illegal mining activities.

“As I said, the authority with which he could use to arrest you has been seized, hence, if you are doing illegal [mining] and he wants to arrest you, he is also engaging in an illegality, so you should also arrest him,” he added.

 

Watch the video below: 

 

 

Ghana has been grappling with the effects of rampant illegal mining in recent years.

The activity of illegal small scale mining also known as galamsey, has led to the destruction of several water bodies and forest cover.

Some, however, seek to misrepresent Ernest Frimpong’s remarks by claiming that the NPP PC has incited illegal miners in the area to assault soldiers who try to stop them from mining.

In addition, Ernest Frimpong has clarified his remarks in a statement

 

Below is a press release by Mr. Ernest over his remarks. 

RE: WESTERN REGIONAL MINISTER AND AMENFI EAST PC FOR NPP ENDORSE ILLEGAL MINING

I, Ernest Frimpong, Parliamentary Candidate (PC) for the NPP in Amenfi East, would like to address recent misinformation regarding statements attributed to the Western Regional Minister and my good self during an engagement with artisanal small-scale miners at Amenfi. There have been allegations claiming that the “Western Regional Minister and Amenfi East Parliamentary Candidate endorse illegal mining,” and I want to correct this inaccurate representation.

It is important to clarify that the Western Regional Minister did not support illegal mining activities in any form. Throughout the engagement, he emphasized the importance of responsible mining practices and explicitly warned against mining in prohibited areas such as forest reserves, rivers, and other people’s concessions. He urged miners to comply with the legal framework by obtaining the necessary permits and licenses through the district authorities, emphasizing the significance of adhering to the regulatory framework.

Similarly, during the engagement, I, the NPP PC for Amenfi East, stressed the importance of responsible mining practices and urged miners to report any instances of extortion and harassment by unauthorized individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers, especially corrupt policemen and soldiers. I emphasized the necessity of adherence to the laws governing small-scale mining in Ghana and assured the miners of their protection under these laws when engaging in responsible mining practices, and that, I was prepared to defend them anywhere and anytime they get harassed.

I urge the public to disregard the short video in circulation which was taken out of the over 2 hours engagement in their attempt to deceive the public. Again, I urge the public to disregard any misrepresentation of the statements made by some individuals and some journalists on the Western Regional Minister or myself. I’m reliably informed that the NDC MP in Amenfi East, Hon. Nicholas Amankwaa is behind this video in circulation to deliberately cause the wrath of the Military and Police on the Miners. Our sincere hope is that all stakeholders will act responsibly and refrain from spreading misinformation for political gain.

Ernest Frimpong
NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Amenfi East.
THANK YOU for constantly reading stories on MyGhanaMedia.com, a news publishing website from Ghana. Kindly like, follow, comment, and SHARE stories on all social media platforms for more entertaining updates!