Michael Kwadwo Peprah, President of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, has been released after being arrested by an anti-illegal mining taskforce during an operation in Subriso Fante, located in Ghana’s Ahafo Ano North District of the Ashanti Region.
Peprah was picked up on Thursday, July 10, after he reportedly intervened during the taskforce's raid to question the legitimacy of the operation—an action he says was rooted in concerns over ongoing impersonation of security officials who harass miners and seize their equipment under false pretenses.
“I wasn’t charged with anything,” Peprah said, adding that he was simply seeking clarity on whether the officers conducting the operation were legitimate. He claims it was during this exchange that members of the taskforce accused him of interference and detained him.
Taking to Facebook shortly after his release, Peprah detailed the events from his perspective, stating that his actions were not confrontational but meant to protect miners from what he described as “unlawful and violent tactics.”
He didn’t hold back in criticizing the government’s approach to illegal mining—locally known as galamsey—urging authorities to shift away from what he called “brute force” and focus instead on more sustainable and community-focused solutions.
The exact reason for his arrest remains murky, with no formal charges brought against him. However, the incident has reignited debate over the methods used by anti-galamsey forces and the tensions between small-scale miners and state-backed taskforces.
Peprah, a vocal advocate for miners’ rights, has frequently clashed with the government over its enforcement strategies. His latest brush with authorities is likely to fuel growing concerns about accountability and transparency in the country’s fight against illegal mining.
