Former KMA Mayor Sam Pyne and Small-Scale Miners’ President Michael Kwadwo Peprah Clash Over Galamsey on Live TV
Former KMA Mayor Sam Pyne and Concerned Small Scale Miners Association President Michael Kwadwo Peprah engage in a heated exchange on the Ghana Se Sen Morning Show, trading accusations over illegal mining and political involvement in galamsey.
- Sam Pyne and Michael Kwadwo Peprah clashed over illegal mining (galamsey) on live TV.
- Peprah accused NPP members, including Pyne, of benefiting from galamsey
- Both sides exchanged allegations about political involvement in illegal mining
Former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Mayor, Sam Pyne, and the President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, engaged in a heated exchange on Lawson TV/Radio’s Ghana Se Sen Morning Show over the controversial issue of illegal mining (galamsey).
During the live broadcast, Michael Kwadwo Peprah accused several members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including Sam Pyne, of holding mining concessions under the previous government and engaging in galamsey throughout the NPP’s eight-year tenure in power. He further alleged that the militant groups operating in illegal mining sites were brought in under the NPP government.
“Galamsey is not about politics, but if the NPP wants to politicize it, we will respond,” Peprah stated, adding that despite spending $200 million to fight galamsey, the NPP had failed to achieve tangible results.
Sam Pyne Hits Back
Upon hearing his name mentioned, Sam Pyne called into the show to defend himself, clarifying that one of his companies legally applied for a mining concession in 2018 and only received final approval in 2024.
“My concession is strictly for rock mining under sustainable practices, and I will never engage in activities that destroy water bodies,” Pyne asserted. He vehemently denied ever sending mining equipment into a forest and accused Peprah of repeatedly tarnishing his reputation on galamsey-related matters.
Political Allegations Fly
Sam Pyne also accused members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hypocrisy, alleging that some top NDC leaders own mining concessions in forest reserves across Akyem, Aowin, Tano, and Offin. He questioned, “What work does Joana Gyan Kudjoe do? What work does Peprah himself do?” emphasizing that galamsey should not be politicized.
In response, Michael Kwadwo Peprah clarified that his comments were based on an earlier statement by Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP’s Director of Communications, who had criticized John Mahama’s government for not being serious about tackling galamsey.
Peprah urged the NPP to give the Mahama administration time to roll out its anti-galamsey strategies before jumping to conclusions.
The explosive confrontation underscores the deep political tensions surrounding galamsey and the ongoing struggle to combat illegal mining in Ghana.
