The President of the Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana, Michael Peprah has expressed his disgust at the President's tacit endorsement of the burning of excavators and mining equipment of

Nana Addo made a public statement about the the matter while during the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of the Law Village Project in Accra.

But the president insists his current approach is what will stand, and anyone who feels it is wrong, can use the courts to seek redress.

“I know there are some who believe that the ongoing exercise of ridding our water bodies and forest zones of harmful equipment and machinery is unlawful and, in some cases, harsh.

“I strongly disagree, and I would advise those who take a contrary view to go to court to vindicate their position if they so wish. That is what the rule of law is all about.

“The Ghana Law Reports of modern times are littered with cases in which my clients thought it necessary to challenge government action. On the majority of occasions, the courts upheld my contentions, in a few others, they did not,” he said.

Speaking in an interview on Oyerepa FM's Morning Show, Michael Peprah says the comments by President Akufo-Addo shocks them.

“When we had a stakeholder meeting with them, they didn’t mention anything about the burning of excavators. I don’t think the President is a lawyer because if he were, he wouldn’t have spoken the way he did. And how dare we make the military appear as judges?.

“We shouldn’t embolden the military to go about burning excavators. That’s not how rule of law works in a country…we were not expecting our president to speak like this, honestly.”

The President on Wednesday challenged those who think otherwise to go to the court of law.

“I say with all the emphasis at my command, that no rights can accrue to or flow from the criminal venture of galamsey. The equipment which is being used for an illegal or criminal purpose cannot confirm on the owner or any other person any rights whatsoever.

“I know there are some who believe that the ongoing exercise of ridding our water bodies and forest zones of harmful equipment and machinery is unlawful and in some cases harsh. I strongly disagree and I will advise those who take a contrary view to go to court to vindicate their position if they so wish. That is what the rule of law is all about.

"Apart from the criminal violations in Act 703 (The Minerals Act), the activities of such persons (Illegal Miners) desecrates our environment, pollutes our water bodies and endanger the lives of present and future generations of Ghanaians," he emphasised.