Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has been implicated in a shocking corruption scandal involving fraudulent mining licensing deals.
Michael Kwadwo Peprah, President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, has levelled damning allegations against the former Minister and his close associates, accusing them of exploiting small-scale miners for personal gain.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Peprah revealed that Jinapor’s personal assistants and inner circle allegedly demanded $10,000 in bribes to approve licences.
This corrupt scheme reportedly emerged after former President Nana Akufo-Addo revoked large-scale mining licences and imposed a ban on small-scale mining, leaving desperate miners vulnerable to exploitation.
Peprah further alleged that miners who had legally obtained their licences years ago saw them abruptly revoked and converted into community mining operations.
Despite complaints, no action was taken. When Jinapor assumed office, he allegedly refused to sign new or restored licence applications, creating a lucrative opportunity for his associates to extort money from struggling miners.
“Miners who had legally acquired their licences two to four years ago had them revoked and turned into community mining. We complained, but they ignored us.”
“When Abu Jinapor became minister, all applications sent to him were left unsigned. His PAs and close associates then demanded $10,000 to sign them. This wasn’t a payment to the government—it was pure greed, lining their own pockets,” Peprah stated
The allegations paint a grim picture of corruption and abuse of power during the Akufo-Addo administration, further tarnishing the reputation of Ghana’s mining sector and raising serious questions about accountability under Jinapor’s tenure.