Bonteso clash; Owner of sand-winning site raided by the police taskforce clears air, citing wrongful target:

Mr. Samuel Oppong Peprah, owner of the sand-winning site at the center of the Bonteso clash, has spoken out to clarify the nature of his business and dispelled accusations of illegal mining. He maintains his operation is entirely legitimate and hopes recent scrutiny will lead to a peaceful resolution.

According to Mr. Peprah, the land was legally acquired years ago from a defunct mining company. “We bought the tailings, the waste material, from Bonte Gold Mines,” he explained, referencing documentation he says proves his claim. “There are no illegal mining pits here. We simply stockpile the sand and load it onto trucks for transport.”

He emphasized that his company’s activities are well-known and benefit the local community. “Most of the buildings around here were built with sand from our site,” he revealed. “We’ve had other task forces visit before, and they always acknowledge that we’re doing nothing wrong.”

Mr. Peprah believes the recent raid was a result of unfamiliarity with his operation. “This new task force was visiting our site for the first time, and I think they mistakenly suspected us of illegal mining,” he stated. “We tried to explain that we’re not involved in any mining activities, but they wouldn’t listen.”

He further revealed that he called upon the arrested assembly member to vouch for the legitimacy of the sand-winning business. “Our sole responsibility is to load the sand,” Mr. Peprah explained, adding that the chiefs even levy the operation for community development initiatives.

With recent visits from NDC executives, GNASSM representatives, and police commanders, Mr. Peprah hopes the truth is becoming clear. “Now that they have seen the site and understand our operation, I am hopeful we can finally have peace of mind to continue our business without fear of unjust accusations,” he concluded.

He further disclosed that the company was dedicated to operating legally and contributing to the well-being of the people.