Video of NAPO promising return of seized excavators to small-scale miners doctored – NPP

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh popularly known as NAPO

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The office of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh popularly known as NAPO, Vice Presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has denounced a viral tape quoting him as promising to return excavators for small-scale miners.

In a press statement issued on September 11, 2024, Fiifi Boafo, the spokesperson for NAPO, stated that the tape in circulation is doctored.

“The Office of the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party has noted with concern distortions by sections of the media regarding a statement made by the Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh.

“At a community engagement at Bogoso in the Prestea Huni Valley Constituency on Sunday, September 8, 2024, Dr. Prempeh stated that Dr. Bawumia's administration will facilitate small-scale mining under strict regulations that ensure the environment is not compromised.

“We have, however, observed that some media outlets are alleging that he said, 'We will give everyone his excavator to work in his concession to make money to support the economic growth of their communities,'” part of the press statement said.

He asserted that the 20-minute full video footage of NAPO’s submission did not contain what had been attributed to him.

“This statement attributed to him is false. The 20-minute full video footage of his submission did not contain what has been attributed to him.

“A doctored TikTok video in circulation claiming to be the source of the reportage does not reflect the statement made by the Vice-Presidential Candidate.

“We wish to emphasize that Dr. Prempeh was talking about granting access to people interested in small-scale mining who could only do that in a responsible and sustainable manner in accordance with the laws of Ghana,” the statement added.

AM/KA