The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor to investigate alleged acts of thievery and corruption hindering the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The public accountability civil advocacy group, invoking Act 959 of the Special Prosecutor Act alleged that an audio circulating on social media and purported to be of a conversation between Environment, Science and Technology Minister, Professor Frimpong Boateng and the Central Regional Vice-Chairman of the NPP, Ekow Ewusi, is enough evidence of the alleged corrupt acts ridiculing the fight.

“These latest revelations of corruption in the fight against galamsey show that the whole fight against illegal mining is a sham and a plot to get licensed small scale miners out of business so that some elements in government can take over small scale mining in the country,” the statement signed by the Executive Director for ASEPA reads.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Sunday, February 16, 2020, held a presser at the banks of the Pra River, calling out the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and President Nana Akufo-Addo for their alleged role in the destruction of some major water bodies, seizure and subsequent disappearance of weapons, excavators and other mining equipment from illegal sites among other corrupt acts, believed to be increasing the menace.

The party had also threatened to petition the United Nations to revoke the President’s position as co-chair of the UN SDG Advocates, if drastic measures are not taken to right alleged wrongs.

During the press conference at the banks of River Pra, Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, said, “clearly, President Akufo-Addo has failed to show genuine commitment to the fight against illegal mining and the protection of the environment in his own backyard. His corrupt government has become an active enabler and promoter of the ‘galamsey’ menace and the destruction of the environment in a way that affronts the SDGs of the United Nations.

“He has proven to be unfit for the prestigious position of Co-Chair of the UN SDGs Advocates, for which reason he must be removed without delay. And, we are absolutely convinced beyond doubt that the United Nations will act in the interest of the Ghanaian people, the international community and the environment.”

Agreeing to these allegations and more, ASEPA argued that an investigation by the Special Prosecutor will not only help unravel those responsible for the various scandals but will also make it possible for them to face the full rigours of the law.

Find the statement from ASEPA below