The office of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has refuted claims circulating in sections of the media that suggest he promised to return all excavators seized during the government’s crackdown on illegal mining.
In a press statement signed by the spokesperson, Fiifi Boafo, Dr. Prempeh’s team clarified that during a community engagement at Bogoso in the Prestea Huni Valley Constituency on Sunday, September 8, 2024, the Vice-Presidential candidate spoke about facilitating small-scale mining under a future Bawumia administration, ensuring strict regulations that protect the environment.
The press release noted that media reports have falsely attributed a statement to Dr. Prempeh, claiming he said, “We will give everyone his excavator to work in his concession to make money to support the economic growth of their communities.” The office firmly denies that such a statement was ever made.
According to the statement, a 20-minute video of Dr. Prempeh’s submission does not include the alleged comment, and the office accused some outlets of relying on a doctored TikTok video circulating on social media. The video, according to the office, misrepresents what Dr. Prempeh actually said during his speech.
Dr. Prempeh’s office emphasized that the Vice-Presidential candidate was referring to granting access to individuals interested in small-scale mining, but only within legal and sustainable practices, adhering to the laws of Ghana. The press release urged the public to disregard the misleading reports circulating in the media.
