Ernest Frimpong, the 2024 parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Amenfi East Constituency, has been granted bail by the Tarkwa Police Command in Ghana’s Western Region. Frimpong was released on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, after giving a statement to the police regarding controversial comments made in a viral video.
The candidate was detained following the circulation of a video in which he urged illegal miners to resist and confront soldiers attempting to halt their operations. Frimpong asserted in the video that soldiers had no authority to stop mining activities. He later clarified that his remarks were taken out of context during a two-hour engagement with artisanal small-scale miners and emphasized that his intentions were misrepresented.
During his address to the miners, Frimpong noted that all anti-galamsey task forces, including ‘Operation Halt’ and ‘Galamstop,’ had been disbanded by the government. He claimed that no soldier had the authority to stop mining activities, but did acknowledge that soldiers on patrol were acceptable as their presence could help protect miners from robbery. Frimpong suggested that miners could voluntarily offer money for fuel, which he would not oppose. He strongly advised miners to resist any soldier attempting to shut down their operations.
In response to Frimpong’s comments, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) issued a stern warning against calls for attacks on soldiers. Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, the GAF’s Public Relations Director, emphasized that such calls are unlawful and pose a threat to national security. The military condemned any incitement of violence against soldiers, urging the public to respect and support security personnel.
This warning was reiterated in the presence of the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, and other party executives. In a statement issued on Monday, June 10, 2024, Brigadier General Aggrey-Quashie highlighted that the military had taken note of viral videos on social media calling for attacks on soldiers and other security personnel. He cautioned the public against making such utterances, reinforcing the need for maintaining respect for security forces.
The incident has sparked a significant debate on the role of security forces in regulating illegal mining and the responsibilities of political figures in advocating for lawful and peaceful conduct.
