Former Minister for Science and Environment, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has stated that illegal mining activities persist in the country because individuals with political and social influence aid them.

According to him, each time the government attempts to arrest and take action to reclaim lost government lands, individuals with influence keep calling for favours.

Speaking on the AM show on April 3, Prof Frimpong-Boateng said, “It's sad because there is a programme going on in this country for the restoration of land in cocoa-growing areas being undertaken by the EPA and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resource.

“They will tell you that they go and reclaim the land, plant trees, and after some time, when you go there, they have cleared the things and are doing mining activities.

“Some people are mining in forest reserves with impunity, and the calls that you make come from the forestry commission.

“Where do they come from? Certainly not from ordinary people. Where are the calls coming from? Certainly, from people with political power or social influence

“Those people are supposed to stop what they are doing. This thing is going to cost us, in fact, it has already cost us a lot. ”

Besides the galamsey concern, Professor Frimpong-Boateng noted that Ghana has a long way to go in the fight against corruption.

He said corruption is prevalent throughout the Ghanaian society stating that the country is yet to begin tackling the problem in a meaningful way.

The former minister called for a more concerted effort to deal with corruption at all levels of society, from the government to businesses and individuals.

“The system is already corrupted; when you have to bribe delegates to elect you as MP, flagbearer, or whatever it is; that is the beginning of corruption. So, we have to be serious about the fight against corruption. We have not started it.”

Professor Frimpong-Boateng also expressed disappointment with the state of the economy.

He acknowledged the challenges the government faces and called for a renewed focus on addressing those challenges.

“I am not happy with the state of the nation, the state of the economy, there is so much suffering, education is not doing well, and the power system needs a complete overhaul in this country.”