NDC exposes 'oppressive, despotic Akufo Addo-govt over arrest of leader of small scale miners

The National Democratic Congress has blasted the Government over the arrested of the president of the concern small scale miners association president, exposing the grand scheme of the Akufo Addo administration to intimidate, harass and silence critical voices ahead of the 2020 general elections.

The Minister for environment has been fingered as the mastermind behind the Saturday evening arrest.

The Association was preparing for a press conference on Monday, the NDC says in a statement.

"The National Democratic Congress, has just learnt of the arrest and detention of the President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah for a post he made on his Facebook wall, ahead of the Association’s planned press conference to expose the Akufo Addo-government on mining related issues," statement signed by Communication Director said.

Reports indicate that Mr Peprah was arrested over a Facebook post, ahead of the Association’s planned press conference. According to a statement by NDC Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, that press conference will “expose the Akufo Addo-government on mining related issues.”

Below is the full statement

The National Democratic Congress, has just learnt of the arrest and detention of the President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah for a post he made on his Facebook wall, ahead of the Association’s planned press conference to expose the Akufo Addo-government on mining related issues.

Michael Kwadwo Peprah was arrested in the Ashanti region last night and is currently at the Central Police Station in Kumasi waiting to be transported to Accra, on the orders of the Environment Minister and Chief “Galamsey” promoter, Professor Frimpong Boateng.

The NDC condemns this shameful act, which is part of a desperate scheme by the oppressive and despotic Akufo Addo-government to intimidate, harass and silence critical voices ahead of the 2020 general elections.

We are reliably informed, that as we speak, Michael Kwadwo Peprah has not been given access to his lawyers by the Police. We humbly entreat the media and CSOs to follow this matter and give it the attention it deserves.

Let’s us speak up against the culture of oppression and tyranny being supervised by President Akufo Addo, because injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. #IstandWithMichaelKwadwoPeprah

SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ. National Communication Officer, NDC