The National Democratic Congress (NDC) yesterday accused the Attorney-General, (A-G) Godfred Yeboah Dame of allegedly covering up illegal mining activities by some government officials and New Patriotic Party (NPP) appointees.
Similarly, the NDC had also called on the Special Prosecutor, Mr Kissi Adjabeng to expedite investigations into the matter and prosecute those culpable.
The National Communication Officer, Mr Sammy Gyamfi stated this at a press conference in Accra, yesterday, to discuss the A-G rejection of former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Professor FrimpongBoateng’s galamsey report.
He said claims by Mr Dame that there was no evidence to substantiate revelation contained in 36-page of Frimpong Boatenggalamsey report were simply false.
Mr Gyamfi said “contrary to what the A-G had come out to tell the world about lack of evidential value of Frimpong Boateng galamsey report, there are ample pieces of evidence in the public domain that go to confirm several of damning findings in the Frimpong Boateng galamsey report.
He referred to a video documentary published by Joy News, titled “forest under siege’’ which contained evidence that confirms the assertion by Prof. Boateng to the effect that Emmanuel Donald Enstuah’s C&J Aleska, now Imperial Heritage Limited had under the guise for prospecting engaged illegal mining in the Krobo section of the Apamprama forest reserve in the Amansie area of the Ashanti Region.
The communications officer stated that even in Samreboi where Akonta Mining was said to have a mining lease, evidence captured on tape showed that the company had been mining close to the Tano River in breach of 100 meter reserved threshold of the Minerals Commission.
He mentioned that the ‘galamsey fraud scandal’ by ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw was covered-up and the perpetrators which included a presidential staffer, Charles Bissue, left off the hook.
“As we speak, Bernard AntwiBosiako, also known as “Wontumi,” the mastermind of this nation-wrecking conduct is still free after polluting the Tano River through illegal mining operations,” he alleged.
Mr Gyamfi said the NDC was worried about the extent to which the government had encourage and condone the destruction of Ghana’s environment.
Touching on the issue of the stealing and sale of seized excavators, he said “it was an irrefutable fact that, Prof. Frimpong Boateng as Minister for Environment reported the then Central Regional Vice Chairman of the ruling NPP, Horace Ekow Ewusi and others to the police sometime in 2019, as persons responsible for the missing excavators.”
He said “they have been active collaborators and promoters of ‘galamsey trade’ their actions through their A-G to continuously protect corrupt officials of the ruling NPP and the government,” he added.
He said as far back as April 22, 2023, the Office of the President in commenting on the 36-page leaked galamsey report stated that the report was a “catalogue of personal grievances’’ and that the claims in the report were unfounded and amounted to “hearsay.”
Mr Gyamfi said the advice from the A-G was a cover-up calculated to whitewash the incessant corruption and nation-wrecking conduct of officials of government and the ruling NPP who have been indicted by Prof.Boateng.
He therefore asked the A-G to resign with immediate effect.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
