VIDEO: Beat up soldiers attempting to stop you from Mining – Amenfi East NPP PC to illegal miners

The NPP parliamentary candidate for Amenfi East, Ernest Frimpong, has made a controversial call to illegal miners in the area, urging them to physically resist any soldiers who attempt to halt their mining activities.

His address to the miners took place in the presence of Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah and other party executives from the region.

Ernest Frimpong informed the miners that all anti-galamsey task forces had been disbanded by the government. According to him, no soldier has the authority to stop anyone from mining anymore.

Speaking in the Twi language, he stated, “Operation Halt, Galamstop, whatever, whatever – all those operations have been canceled. Officially, soldiers 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.”

Frimpong went on to explain that if a soldier claimed to be on patrol, it was acceptable because patrols by the police and security services were intended to protect the miners and reduce incidents of robbery.

He added, “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.” However, he emphasized that if any soldier tried to shut down their operations based solely on his military authority, the miners should not be intimidated by the uniform. “If he beats you, equally beat him. Fight him; I will come to your defense,” he charged the miners, receiving a rousing applause from the audience.

Frimpong justified his call to action by insisting that, since there was no ongoing anti-galamsey operation, any intervention by soldiers was illegal and could not be used to stop the miners. “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.

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This statement from Ernest Frimpong has stirred significant controversy.

His encouragement of violence against soldiers poses serious questions about the rule of law and the safety of both civilians and military personnel.

The disbandment of anti-galamsey task forces does not necessarily equate to a free-for-all situation where illegal mining can proceed without any legal repercussions.

Instead, it suggests that the government may be re-evaluating its approach to tackling illegal mining, a practice that has severe environmental and social consequences.

The call to resist soldiers highlights the complex dynamics between local authorities, political figures, and illegal mining operations in Ghana.

Galamsey, or illegal small-scale mining, has been a persistent issue, causing widespread environmental damage, polluting water bodies, and contributing to deforestation.

Despite government efforts to curb the practice, it remains deeply entrenched in many communities due to the economic benefits it offers to local populations.

Frimpong’s remarks may resonate with miners who feel marginalized or targeted by previous anti-galamsey operations.

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However, promoting physical confrontation with the military is a dangerous precedent that could lead to escalated violence and further destabilize the region.

It underscores the need for a balanced approach to addressing illegal mining—one that incorporates strict enforcement of environmental regulations while providing alternative livelihoods for those dependent on mining.

In conclusion, while Ernest Frimpong’s statements reflect the frustrations of illegal miners, they also raise serious concerns about the rule of law and public safety.

The issue of galamsey requires comprehensive and sustainable solutions that balance environmental conservation with economic development, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric that could incite violence and undermine legal authority.

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