President of the Small-Scale Miners Association, Michael Kojo Peprah, has threatened to publicly name individuals—some of whom are contesting to become New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearers—allegedly involved in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
In an interview on Oyerppa TV on October 7, Peprah claimed that critics demanding a state of emergency over environmental degradation are among those implicated themselves. “There are people who were given licenses and went into the forest to mine. Some in the NPP gearing up to be flagbearers were also given forest reserves. At the right time, we’ll bring out their names,” he asserted.
He added that those calling for drastic government intervention should be cautious, because as he sees it, “those who sit on TV calling for a state of emergency… at the right time, we will bring out the list—expose them to the public.”
Illegal mining remains a grave concern in Ghana, with operations continuing to damage land, pollute waterways, and destroy infrastructure—some even affecting railway lines. Although public pressure mounts for a state of emergency, President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that now is not the moment for such measures.
Observers say Peprah’s threat could spark controversy within political circles, especially among NPP aspirants whose reputations may be at stake. As the party edges closer to its primaries, these allegations might become harmful weapons in internal power struggles.
At present, no names have been released. Prekeh Media will monitor developments and update as the story evolves.