Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Dr Tony Aubynn, has denied allegations of supporting illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, following a controversial video.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue, Dr Aubynn stated that his presence in the video was misinterpreted and vowed to sue those responsible for spreading the allegations.
Dr. Aubynn explained that he never spoke in support of illegal mining in the video and that his words were taken out of context.
He emphasised his commitment to regulating mining and expressed frustration at being misrepresented.
The controversy surrounds a video from 2020, where Dr Aubynn was seen with some galamseyers, leading to accusations of supporting their activities.
However, Dr Aubynn claims he was simply present at the scene and did not condone or encourage illegal mining.
“I have never, ever, you see, we are not serious, I have never and ever spoken. That [Video] has been misinterpreted. What did I do to aid and abating there? I said something later [In the video], that the detractors don’t want to show that part. I’ll not support illegal mining. I’ve spent my life working to regularise mining. I didn’t say anything there.”
“You saw, let them show the video so with the people going around, I’m going to sue somebody for this because really I never said anything. I never opened my mouth, I was standing there. In one video, I had folded my arms standing there, yet some people, I think mostly NPP, and this was 2020 and this activity happened when I visited only two places on record, only two places. I never went to Prestea but they said I went to Prestea for Prestea to lose.”