Frimpong-Boateng “galamsey” report: Government must probe allegations, says Samoa-Addo

A member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo has called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the alleged involvement of some government officials in illegal mining also known as galamsey.

It follows allegations by former minister and chairman of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Prof Frimpong-Boateng in a 37-page report to President Akufo-Addo, accusing some government officials of plotting to bring him down over the fight against illegal mining.

The report made several allegations against some government and political party officials who allegedly made various attempts to thwart his efforts in clamping down on illegal mining in the country.

“We all have to be brutally frank with ourselves on this situation. Professor Frimpong-Boateng could not have produced this report in a vacuum. Are we saying that he just got up and decided to write a report without being requested to? He is not a novice,” Samoa-Addo said on Asaase 99.5 Accra’s news analysis show, The Forum, on Saturday (22 April),

“Under the Constitution, Parliament by resolution can call on the president to set up a commission of inquiry. I am expecting the Parliament of Ghana to take up this matter, pass a resolution calling for the president to set up a commission,” he told sit-in host Wilberforce Asare

He added “If nobody takes this thing up, I am a citizen and will take it to CHRAJ for them to investigate on only one ground; the death of Major Mahama. I give them one week because this issue of illegal mining, galamsey and issues to deal with it goes to the heart of citizens.”

Denial

Meanwhile, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has denied allegations that he orchestrated a plot to bring down former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng over the fight against illegal mining also known as galamsey in the country.

In a statement released on Friday, 21 April 2023, Oppong Nkrumah described as false and a fabricated account to court public disaffection against his person.

“Over the years, I had nothing but great admiration for Prof Boateng’s public-spirited works and as an inspirational citizen. I feel gravely offended over the false claims he has made and the hurtful conclusions he has sought to exact about me precisely because of the great esteem in which I have held him.

“I trust that in the coming months and years, he will reflect deeply upon his own actions and comments which have led to his challenges. He should kindly leave me out of his personal fights. I am utterly disappointed, but I forgive him,” the statement said.

Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra

Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Beats FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Somua FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in or log on to broadcasts online: www.asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
Live streaming: facebook.com/asaaseradio99.5. Also on YouTube: Asaase Radio Official.
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand