Ernest Frimpong, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Amenfi East says no military officer or security operative has the power to arrest any illegal miner, otherwise known as ‘galamseyers’ in the country.
He has urged them to resist any attempt by the military or any security officer to stop them from doing their work.
Mr. Frimpong says neither the military nor any security operative currently wields the power to stop anyone from engaging in illegal mining since they have taken that power away from them.
“We have cancelled Operation Galamstop and the soldiers who have been tormenting you. So, officially, they don’t have any mandate to do that again,” the PC stated.
In a video going viral on social media, the parliamentary candidate, together with the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah and the MCE, is found engaging some galamseyers
He says if the officers visit their sites on a patrol mission, they should treat them well and offer them tips. However, if they attend with the intention to impede their operations, they should fight them back.
“So if anyone comes to you, you have the right to question him why he has come to you. If he came on a patrol, it is good. The military and security services’ patrol really help. They help reduce the robberies so if out of your own heart you have something to offer them to use for fuel, I’ll never speak against that.
“Because if all the police and security services sit in their offices without patrol, they will rob you the miners. So it is not right to stand against any officer that comes for patrol and you can give them anything from your heart because they protect lives.
“But if anyone comes and orders you out for the mere purpose that he is a soldier, do not look at the uniform he is wearing, if he hits you, hit him back, fight him and I will come there. Oh yes, we won’t tolerate those things.
“If he came on a patrol, then he is passing by, and that is why we are telling you that we have revoked the authority they had to arrest you. If you are doing illegal and he comes to arrest you, he is also doing illegal so arrest him back,” he told the illegal miners in Twi.
