Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Dr. Tony Aubynn, has refuted allegations of supporting illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey, following the circulation of a controversial video.

In an interview on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue, Dr. Aubynn clarified that, his appearance in the video had been misinterpreted and announced his intention to take legal action against those spreading the false claims.

He explained that, he never endorsed illegal mining in the video, stating that his words were taken out of context.

Dr. Aubynn reiterated his dedication to regulating the mining sector and expressed frustration over being misrepresented.

The controversy stems from a 2020 video in which Dr. Aubynn was seen in the company of some illegal miners, sparking accusations of supporting their activities.

However, he maintains that his presence at the scene did not signify approval or encouragement of galamsey.

“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.”

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