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The former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, has made serious allegations of illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey’, against top government officials. Prof. Boateng, who served under President Akufo-Addo during his first term, has claimed the rot goes as high as the government seat, Jubilee House.
Last month, President Akufo-Addo ordered the police to investigate the allegations, but MyJoyOnline.com has got a 36-page document written by Prof. Boateng, which was addressed to the president, the Chief of Staff, and the police. In the document, the renowned surgeon named individuals whom he claims frustrated his efforts, and the committee he chaired in addressing the illegal mining issue.
Prof. Boateng stated, “Throughout our struggle with illegalities in the small-scale mining sector, what baffled me was the total disregard of the President’s commitment to protecting the environment. I can state with no equivocation that many party officials, from the national to the unit committee level, had their friends, PAs, agents, relatives, financiers, or associates engaged in illegal mining, often employing Chinese workers. I am not referring to party members who had legitimate concessions and were mining sustainably as instructed.”
The document also accused appointees in the Jubilee House, the seat of the government, of being involved in illegal mining or interfering with efforts to combat the menace. Prof. Frimpong Boateng further alleged that a former Member of Parliament (MP) from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region, who was also a board member of the Minerals Commission, had sold illegally acquired concessions for GH¢200,000 each, which angered the party in the constituency. During the 2020 primaries to select a candidate, the electorate reportedly voted against the sitting MP, who was more financially resourced, in favor of a lesser-known individual despite allegations of bribery attempts.
Prof. Frimpong Boateng had previously stated in March that the rot extended to Jubilee House. In an interview with state broadcaster GBC, the former Minister alleged these individuals had orchestrated his removal from the Ministry to perpetuate the illegal mining issue.
Source: Omanghana.com
