Audio By Carbonatix
President Akufo-Addo has tasked the Police to investigate allegations by the former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) regarding the seat of government's involvement in illegal mining.
Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng accused some top government officials of being engaged in the canker, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
The renowned professor who served under President Akufo-Addo during his first term insisted that the rot goes as high as the government seat, Jubilee House.
This comes as government continues to trumpet its commitment to the illegal mining fight.
In an interview with state broadcaster GBC, the former Minister explained that some of these individuals supervised his ousting from the Ministry in order to continue perpetuating the canker.
Prof. Boateng stressed that the allegations of some 500 missing excavators from illegal miners in 2020 were fabrications of persons in the government to get him out of the way.
Following the revelation, there were calls from a cross-section of Ghanaians for state security agencies to look into it.
On the back of this, the President wants the matter investigated.
The Daily Graphic reports that the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is in charge of the probe.
The unit has already written to the former Minister to assist in the investigation.
More on allegation
The former Miniter further suggested that it was his effort that prevented the forest reserves from further dissipation by these government officials for which reason there are reports of breaches now that he is no more in office.
“There was an orchestrated scheme, even within the party and government to get me out. Why is it that when I left now everyone is in the forest?” he added.
Builsa South MP, Clement Apaak is one of the people who called for an investigation into the comments
Mr Apaak believes this assertion is enough grounds to commence a full-blown probe.
“Ghanaians expect the requisite state agencies/institutions (OSP, BIN, CID) to show loyalty to Ghana by initiating investigations into the allegations made by Prof. Boateng. By his stature and previous position in this NPP gov’t, these allegations cannot and must not be ignored,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
Don’t lower the bar because things were worse before – Kojo Yankson on Mahama gov’t
17 minutes -
Jefferson Sackey rallies support for Dr. Bawumia
20 minutes -
2024 elections helped stabilise Ghana’s democracy – Sulemana Braimah
33 minutes -
Livestream: 2025 Year in Review
1 hour -
Ghana’s crypto transactions hit $10bn by November – SEC
1 hour -
SEC says VASP law will protect investors, ensure market integrity
1 hour -
Mandatory Smart Port note will increase cost of doing business – Coalition of exporters, importers and traders
1 hour -
Banda MP hands over police station, quarters to Banda Boase community
1 hour -
I’m going to spend a lot more energy to make Kumasi clean – KMA boss
2 hours -
We’re on a journey together to restore our party to its rightful place – Dr. Bawumia to NPP delegates
2 hours -
Thieves use drill to steal €30m in German bank heist
2 hours -
Protests spread across Iran for third day after currency hits record low
2 hours -
NRSA to enforce mandatory removal of broken-down vehicles from highways in 2026
3 hours -
Individuals on trial by the A-G linked to a potential NPP flagbearer – Rosemond Obeng alleges
3 hours -
President Mahama signs law regulating cryptocurrencies and virtual assets
3 hours
