The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Ghana, has firmly disassociated itself from a recent press statement accusing two senior officials of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of misconduct linked to illegal mining operations.

The group, in an official press statement dated July 13, clarified that it had no connection with a release allegedly issued on July 9 by a group calling itself the Concern Small Scale Miners Association.

The controversial statement had accused NDC National Organiser Mr. Joseph Yammin and 3rd Vice Chairperson Mr. Yakubu Abanga of forming a rogue anti-galamsey taskforce to harass and extort money from small-scale miners.

According to the Association’s President, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, the claims are entirely false and do not represent the views or actions of any legitimate body within Ghana's small-scale mining sector.

“We wish to state categorically that our Association neither authored nor endorsed any such statement,” the group emphasised.

Upon investigation, the Association found that the statement was allegedly signed by one Andrew Abban, who claimed to be chairman of the so-called Concern Small Scale Miners Association.

However, Mr. Peprah noted that the group is not registered with any recognised authority and described the contact information provided in the statement as inactive, further casting doubt on the authenticity of the organisation.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored such baseless allegations. 7

However, due to the numerous calls and media inquiries received by our office, we find it necessary to clarify the matter publicly,” the statement read.

The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association believes the false claims were a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and sow confusion within the mining community.

The Association is urging the media, stakeholders, and the general public to disregard the false publication and treat it with the contempt it deserves.