JUST IN : GII Suggests Independent Probe Into Frimpong Boateng's Galamsey Report

GII Requests An Independent Investigation Into The Frimpong-Boateng Galamsey Report
The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) is requesting an independent investigation into a number of allegations contained in a report written by the former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng.GII also desires that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and anti-corruption state institutions act expeditiously in response to the report.In a press release dated April 27, 2023, the GII clarified that the report is not merely a list of incidents, but rather identifies institutions and individuals whose actions or inactions the report deems to be complicit in the illegality and harm perpetuated in the pursuit of gold.“The report mentions, for example, a disregarded Cabinet directive to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission's role in mining activities in forest reserves.Gabby Otchere Darko, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Information, Osafo Maafo, Joseph Albert Quam, former Member of Parliament for Manso Nkwanta Constituency, and a few others are named in the report as having allegedly abused their positions or engaged in influence peddling.Following the aforementioned information, GII stated, "It is almost a cliche to quote the President's pledge to fight small-scale illegal mining: "I pledge to put my presidency on the line if that is what it takes to end illegal mining," but it seems inevitable because since this proclamation, a number of incidents have occurred to test the President's commitment to ending illegal mining, but sadly, his actions have not matched his words.In light of some of these factors, the GII was of the opinion that Prof. Frimpong-Boateng's report provides the President with an opportunity to regain the trust of the Ghanaian people.In addition, GII stated that it "places a burden on state institutions such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to rebuild public confidence; according to the Afrobarometer (round 6), 63% of Ghanaians would rather engage religious leaders in resolving their issues than state institutions."In addition, GII urged Anti-Corruption State Institutions to initiate proactive investigations into the allegations contained in the report and to make recommendations for the subsequent actions.GII applauded the President's directive to the CID of the Ghana Police Service on the matter, but believes that "it should be possible for the various investigative bodies to collaborate on this matter to assuage the fears of Ghanaians"In the meantime, GII provides notice that it will also formally petition CHRAJ and the OSP to investigate corruption-related aspects of the report.