Michael Kwadwo Peprah – Adomonline.com

Small-Scale Miners caution government against repeating past galamsey strategies

Faridatu Seidu — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:04:39 +0000

The President of the National Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, has urged the government to avoid adopting strategies used by the previous administration in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Peprah said galamsey worsened over the past eight years despite several interventions, including the deployment of drones, the introduction of the GalamStop program, military operations, and even a ban on small-scale mining.

He stressed the need for fresh and effective measures, noting that small-scale miners are optimistic about meaningful reforms under the current government.

“The past eight years have seen an increase in galamsey activities. We hope that this new government will be able to address the issue. My suggestion is that we should not repeat the same actions as before and expect different results. The previous government implemented initiatives such as drones and GalamStop, but none were fruitful.

“The military approach also proved ineffective. Even the ban on small-scale mining did not achieve the desired outcome. Using the previous administration’s failed strategies will not lead to positive results. I hope this government adopts a different approach. If it is considering a new strategy, there is nothing wrong with that,” he said.

Source: Farida Seidu | Adomonline

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Concerned Small Scale Miners’ President refutes allegations of intervening in anti-galamsey taskforce operations

Emmanuel Quaicoe — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:41:41 +0000

President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, has described as misleading reports of his intervention in pleading for clemency for miners invading the Desiri Forest of the Ahafo Ano North District in Ashanti Region.

According to him, he had only inquired about the police operations, leading to his arrest.

In a viral video, Mr. Peprah is seen in handcuffs with reports indicating he intervened in activities of the police anti-galamsey taskforce.

“Acting as a responsible leader, I approached the scene to inquire about the operation and to verify the affiliation of the task force involved,” he said.

He noted the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in an earlier meeting with the miners, had authorized them to inquire of persons who undertake operations in the field.

“Contrary to the police’s claims I did not obstruct any official duty or intervene on anyone’s behalf,” he said.

In the video, a police officer had claimed that some people in the community pointed to the President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association as the person behind the act.

He vehemently refuted the claims indicating he had only been to the area for the 2024 NDC campaign in mining communities.

“If the people know me it is because I was there to campaign as a member of the NDC Mining Committee not as a miner interested in operating there”, he added.

Mr. Peprah was subsequently released by the police on bail.

Abu Jinapor’s PAs demanded $10k to sign licenses – Kwadwo Peprah alleges [Listen]

Gertrude Okyere — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 16:27:34 +0000

President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, has accused former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor and his close associates of corruption and fraudulent practices related to the issuance of small-scale mining licences.

In an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Peprah revealed that personal assistants and individuals closely associated with the former minister were allegedly demanding $10,000 to sign licences for small-scale miners.

This practice reportedly emerged after the large-scale revocation of licences and the ban on small-scale mining imposed by former President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Peprah claimed that despite some miners having legitimately acquired their licences years ago, these were revoked and converted into community mining operations.

He added that attempts to restore these licences or apply for new ones were unsuccessful because the former minister refused to sign them, forcing some individuals to exploit the situation for personal gain.

“People had acquired their licences two and four years ago legally, but they were revoked and turned into community mining; we complained, but they never listened,” he stated. “When Abu Jinapor became minister, all the applications sent to him were not signed, so his PAs and some people close to him demanded $10,000 to sign them. These were not payments to the government, but to certain individuals to enrich themselves.”

Peprah emphasized that there were individuals who could corroborate his claims and challenged anyone to deny them.

These accusations come amid recent developments surrounding the revocation of small-scale mining licences.

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, announced the cancellation of all licences issued after December 7, 2024, due to irregularities in the process.

This decision follows recommendations from key regulatory bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Forestry Commission, and the Water Resources Commission, as part of efforts to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey.

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Shut up on issues about galamsey – Abu Jinapor told [Audio]

Gertrude Okyere — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:21:54 +0000

President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, has asked former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor to refrain from commenting on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Mr. Peprah criticized Mr. Jinapor’s tenure, describing him as one of the worst ministers in Ghana’s history and claiming he made no significant progress in tackling the issue.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he praised the current Lands Minister for engaging stakeholders, contrasting this with Mr. Jinapor’s alleged failure to involve small-scale miners.

“We would applaud the current Minister in the sense that there has been an extensive engagement, and if it continues that way, we will get somewhere. It seems he has seen the mistakes of past ministers. Someone like Abu Jinapor never engaged us, and even when you go to his office, his door was never opened for you. He is one of the worst ministers we’ve ever had,” he stated.

Mr. Peprah’s comments follow remarks by the Damongo MP in Parliament, where he stressed the need to involve politically exposed persons in addressing galamsey.

However, Mr. Peprah strongly disagreed, arguing that politicians are not the best people to lead the fight against illegal mining. Instead, he emphasized the need for direct involvement of miners and local communities.

“We must bear in mind that we can’t fight galamsey 100% because it evolves, but sometimes when you put the politicians in charge, they become like a tin god. We are on the field, facing the problems and knowing the reality. But when it comes to solutions, we rely on doctors and professors who only know the theoretical, not the practical aspect,” he added.

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2024 polls: Small-Scale Miners Association backs NDC

Faridatu Seidu — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 12:05:14 +0000

The National Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana (NCSSMAG) has officially endorsed the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the upcoming general elections.

The announcement followed a nationwide mining conference held in the Ashanti Region, during which the Association reached its decision after extensive consultations.

The NCSSMAG cited the NDC’s comprehensive mining policies as the primary reason for their support, describing the party’s approach as a practical solution to the challenges facing Ghana’s small-scale mining sector.

The Association expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing them of inconsistent policies and unfulfilled promises.

President of NCSSMAG, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, dismissed Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s promise to make small-scale miners “billionaires” as unrealistic given the current state of the sector.

“The arbitrary crackdowns and lack of trust in government interventions have left the industry frustrated and disillusioned,” he noted.

The Association urged its members to support the NDC in the upcoming elections, framing their decision as vital for the future of small-scale mining in Ghana.

“This is not just about politics; it’s about protecting the future of small-scale mining in Ghana,” Mr. Peprah emphasized.

Source: Jagri Boaz Binyinjom

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Prez of Small Scale Miners apologise, retract statements on Aisha Huang after his arrest

Gertrude Okyere — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:30:19 +0000

President of the Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, has apologised and retracted his comments about the involvement of bigwigs in illegal mining locally known as ‘galamsey’.

This comes a few days after he was reportedly picked up by personnel from the National Security.

The arrest, Mr Peprah confirmed, was effected on Friday morning at a time he had just finished preparing breakfast for his kid at his home in Kumasi.

However, he stated details of what transpired could not be made public but he would rather retract his comments.

“In my statement, I made some claims that there are some Chinese kingpins who are into illegal mining and most of them use vehicles embossed with stickers from the Office of the President.

“I want to categorically retract and apologise to the Office of the President and the security agencies in the country,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Neat FM.

When asked whether his retraction and apology were due to intimidation he suffered during the arrest, Mr Peprah responded, “I don’t want to comment on that.”

Following the return of galamsey queen, Aisha Huang to Ghana after her deportation, Mr Peprah made damning allegations about support of higher authorities which has empowered Chinese nationals for galamsey.

He claimed the powerful people behind Miss Huang transferred an Immigration Officer to stop him from pursuing the matter.

He among other things alleged there are Chinese nationals who are mining in Ghana’s forest reserves under the protection of State security such as the military.