Ernest Frimpong, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Amenfi East, has vehemently denied accusations that he and Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah have condoned illegal mining activities and urged miners to defy military personnel, emphasizing that these claims are baseless and misrepresent their stance on the issue
Mr Ernest Frimpong has issued a denial statement after a viral video showed him appearing to encourage miners to confront and attack police officers and soldiers who demand bribes from them, prompting widespread outrage and calls for clarification.
He has disputed the interpretation of his remarks, asserting that his words were misrepresented from a comprehensive two-hour discussion with artisanal small-scale miners, and that his actual message was distorted to create a false narrative.
Ernest Frimpong revealed that the Regional Minister had stressed the crucial need for sustainable and responsible mining practices, while also cautioning against illegal mining activities in restricted areas, including forest reserves and rivers, in an effort to promote environmental stewardship and adherence to the law.
In his statement, Mr. Frimpong maintained that he did not only emphasize responsible mining practices but also encouraged the miners to speak out against any forms of exploitation, urging them to report incidents of extortion, harassment, and intimidation by individuals falsely claiming to be law enforcement officials, thereby promoting a culture of accountability and transparency.
