Galamsey: Official Complicity Requests A Complete Ban On All Mining - Apaak

Dr. Clement Apaak, the representative for Builsa South, has called for a ban on all forms of mining.

Professor Frimpong-Boateng, a former Minister for Environment, Science, and Chairperson of the erstwhile (IMCIM), alleged wrongdoing on the part of some government appointees in the struggle against illegal small scale mining (Galamsey) in the galamsey report.

Dr. Apaak proposed that Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) hold a national forum to determine the next steps.

"We must promptly demand a ban on all forms of mining for at least two or more years.

"In the interim, a national forum comprised of CSOs should be convened to discern the next steps.

Given the extent of official complicity, this is the only plausible option," the opposition lawmaker tweeted on April 22.

We must promptly demand a ban on all forms of mining for at least two or more years.

Clement Abas Apaak (@DrApaak)

Regarding Professor Frimpong-Boateng's allegation of officials' involvement in galamsey, the Presidency has stated that the report of the MCIM can only be referred to as a list of personal grievances and claims made by Professor Frimpong-Boateng.

The Jubilee House also stated that it was intended to address certain issues he confronted as IMCIM chairman.

The document was given to the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President during an informal meeting on March 19, 2021, according to a statement released by the Presidency on April 22.

The President of the Republic did not renew Frimpong-Boateng's term as Minister in his second term.

"The document lacked a transmittal or cover letter, as well as a consignee, indicating that it was not sent to the Chief of Staff for action.

Notably, the IMCIM was created by Cabinet, and any formal report on its activities would ordinarily be submitted to Cabinet via the Cabinet Secretary or directly to the President of the Republic in his capacity as Chair of Cabinet.

Frimpong-Boateng makes severe allegations against certain government appointees, accusing them of being involved in, supporting, or interfering with the fight against illegal mining. However, not a single piece of evidence was offered or presented to allow the allegations to be investigated thoroughly.

"The allegations made in the document are, at best, hearsay."

Since Frimpong-Boateng's meeting with the Chief of Staff in March 2021, he has neither taken any action nor acted in furtherance of the document's contents.

It added that the President's commitment to combating illegal mining is unwavering, and that the Office of the President welcomes any information on illegal mining activities that provides a credible foundation for the Ghana Police Service to conduct investigations.