The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Wassa Amenfi East, Ernest Frimpong, has been released by the Tarkwa Police Command in the Western Region.
Mr. Frimpong was freed on Wednesday evening after the police recorded a statement from him regarding his remarks in a widely circulated video. He was detained after a video surfaced where he appeared to encourage miners to retaliate against police officers and soldiers attempting to extort money from them.
Mr. Frimpong later explained that his comments were misinterpreted during a two-hour meeting with artisanal small-scale miners. The Municipal Chief Executive for Wassa Amenfi East, Frederick Korankye, criticized Frimpong’s statements and urged miners to collaborate with security personnel to combat illegal mining in the area.
He advised those interested in mining to obtain the necessary legal documents and permits in compliance with Ghanaian law.
“The government is prepared to help you acquire the documents needed to conduct your work legally according to the mining laws. That is my appeal to the miners. The land belongs to us, and we cannot ignore its destruction.
“Occasionally, the military will intervene to ensure proper conduct. Early in the year, we experience numerous armed robbery cases, and we rely on these security services for assistance, so we cannot attack them and then later seek their help.”
