The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it is ready to exhibit some excavators alleged to be missing, as soon as the police conclude its investigations into the matter.

The statement follows a demand by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for a public exhibition of all excavators, weapons and mining equipment seized from illegal miners under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo.

“The missing excavator is a matter that has been referred to the police and the NPP as a political party is interested in how the police manages itself because we believe we are building a society based on the rule of law,” National Communications Director for the Party, Yaw Buaben Asamoa said at a Press Conference at the Party’s headquarters in Accra.

Following a letter by the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng requesting the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to probe the disappearance of these earthmoving equipment, the Central Regional Vice-Chairman of the NPP, Ekow Ewusi and some five other persons have been arrested to assist in investigations.

This subsequently led to the mysterious appearance of over 300 of the excavators at their collating centre at Madina in Accra. But this development continues to be doubted by many, who believe it is a ploy by the governing party to avoid a scandal in an election year.

Already the Minority in Parliament is calling for the arrest and prosecution of the Sector Minister over the issue.

But touching on the subject, Mr. Buaben Asamoa explained the delay in exhibiting the equipment is to give the security service ample time to investigate the issue without any interference.

“Once this matter has been referred, the police has to take charge and drive the process, so we, as a party, are willing to wait for the police to come out with clarity on this excavator.  

“As soon as the information from the police is available we will stand up and account for whatever has been done” he told the media.

Our efforts to help retrieve ‘missing’ excavators are being frustrated - Concerned Small Scale Miners Association

Meanwhile, President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association Michael Kwadwo Peprah says they are ever willing to help government retrieve more of the ‘missing’ excavators. According to him, the Association has been able to trace some of the ‘missing’ excavators to Navrongo where they are in the possession of one Alhaji who claims the machines were sold to him. Other machines, he alleged are being rented out to illegal miners. “So if somebody is engaging in illegality per what they are saying, and then you seize the machine leaving all these pits behind and then these machines are sold or given to another prospective galamsey miner, then what is the point?” he queried. Aside from the excavators, pickups, and cars seized by the authority in an effort to clamp down on galamsey activities have also allegedly gone missing. Mr Peprah told Samson Lardy Anyenini on Joy News’ Newsfile Saturday, that the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Prof. Frimpong Boateng should be called to order over the missing machines.