The National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo, is calling for the arrest of the National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, for his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.

According to him, a purported video recording of Assin North MP, Kennedy Agyapong, “accusing Henry Nana Boakye alias Nana B of being a Galamsey Kingpin” raises cause for alarm.

Ghana has in the past few months seen a resurgence of illegal small scale mining, an activity which was curbed following a fierce campaign waged by government in collaboration with the media and civil society organisations.

This has been worsened by some missing excavators seized by the Operation Vanguard as part of the clamp-down on illegal mining, triggering a probe by the Police Criminal Investigations Department.

The NDC has also fingered the Akufo-Addo-led government of failing in the fight against ‘galamsey’.

In the latest statement issued on Tuesday, the NDC youth organiser outlined that “ordinarily we won't take the accusation very seriously because Hon. Kennedy Agyepong makes a lot of unsubstantiated allegations but because of the sensitive nature of these particular allegations and how excavators have gone missing it is worth looking into.”

Below is the full statement:

INVESTIGATE & PROSECUTE NANA B FOR INVOLVEMENT IN ILLEGAL MINING - NDC YOUTH

The Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress has taken note of a video recording of Hon Kennedy Agyapong MP for Assin North, accusing the National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party, Henry Nana Boakye alias Nana B of being a Galamsey Kingpin. Ordinarily, we won't take the accusation very serious because Hon. Kennedy Agyepong makes a lot of unsubstantiated allegations but because of the sensitive nature of these particular allegations and how excavators have gone missing, it is worth looking into.

We implore the necessary state institutions to look into the matter and prosecute Nana B if he is found culpable.

We condemn the involvement of the leader of the NPP Youth Wing in Galamsey (illegal mining). This unpatriotic action alone has the potential to derail the progress made to protect our environment. We are even more scandalized that such a character still has the temerity to speak ill of distinguished statesmen when he himself is not clean.

Considering this allegation is coming from a leading member of the NPP, we are certain there must be an iota of truth in the matter and he must be investigated and brought to book. After all, our elders “If the frog tells you that the crocodile is dead, do not doubt it.”

Amidst the mind-boggling instance of missing galamsey equipment and excavators, we cannot have another scandal of a public personality actively practising and endorsing this harmful practice. Many young people who were involved in artisanal mining have been out of work since the clam down by government on so-called illegal mining. It is therefore surprising that some members of this government have taken the back road and engage in the same activities.

The effect of illegal mining on our environment has been the subject of many media reportage and concern to Ghanaians. A few weeks ago, the National Democratic Congress led by our National Communications Officer, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi proved to the whole world how this government misled Ghanaians about its fight against illegal mining only for its officials to use same to enrich themselves and resource their party.

Without mincing words, we call on the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department and the Office of the Special Prosecutor to conduct investigations into the matter. Public personalities like Nana B must not hide under the cloak of their party, and power to plunder the nation and destroys our environment. His indictment will serve as a deterrent to other young politicians who may have misguided notions of what public service is. If Nana B believes he is above the law because his party is in power, he will have the Youth of Ghana to answer to.

Issued by

George Opare Addo,

National Youth Organizer,

National Democratic Congress.