Fiifi Boafo, the spokesperson for Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has refuted claims that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) vice presidential candidate promised to return all excavators seized during the government’s crackdown on illegal mining.
A circulating video shows Dr. Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, addressing chiefs and residents of Prestea Huni Valley and Mpohor in the Western Region, where he allegedly stated that NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has no plans to ban small-scale mining and would eventually return the confiscated earthmoving machines.
However, in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Fiifi Boafo rejected the claims, stating that the video had been doctored. He emphasized that the statements attributed to Dr. Prempeh were false and misleading.
“Dr. Prempeh did not say and I wish to state emphatically that he did not say that and the video in circulation is not a representation of what Dr. Prempeh said. It is actually doctored and it is not true that he said that,” Fiifi Boafo told Umaru Sanda Amadu.
Mr. Boafo was prompt to clarify in his interview that “he [NAPO] rather said that people will get the opportunity to engage in small-scale mining in accordance with the laws of our country, ensuring that they do not pollute our river bodies, and our environment is protected.”
“However, it is surprising to learn that this TikTok video is in circulation and unfortunately, the media chanced on it without verifying whether he said that or not, airing it, broadcasting it to the public and creating the impression as though that is what he said, I am repeating, Dr. Prempeh did not say that.” Mr. Boafo added.
NAPO’s campaign team also released a statement denying the claims.
Below is the full statement.
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