President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, has accused former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor and his close associates of engaging in corruption and fraudulent practices in the issuance of small-scale mining licences.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Peprah alleged that personal assistants and individuals close to the former minister demanded $10,000 to approve licences for small-scale miners.
This alleged scheme reportedly emerged after former President Nana Akufo-Addo revoked large-scale mining licences and imposed a ban on small-scale mining.
Peprah further claimed that some miners, who had legally acquired their licences years ago, had them revoked and converted into community mining operations. Attempts to restore or apply for new licences were unsuccessful, as the former minister allegedly refused to sign them, creating an opportunity for his associates to exploit desperate miners.
“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,” Peprah 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.”
Source: Newsdeskgh