My Contribution To Ghana Is Unmatched; You Could Never Match It — Prof. Frimpong Boateng Responds To Gabby

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, has charged Gabby Otchere-Darko with displaying "industrial scale ignorance" regarding Ghana's mining laws and regulations.

In an exclusive interview with Citi TV/Citi FM, Mr. Gabby Otchere-Darko, a prominent member of the ruling NPP, criticized Prof. Frimpong-Boateng for accusing him of interfering with the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) in a recent report.

Mr. Otchere-Darko insisted that he only intervened on behalf of his client, Heritage Imperial Limited, whose equipment was seized by government officials despite having all required permits.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng expressed disappointment in Mr. Otchere-Darko's comprehension of the mining landscape in Ghana in his response. Donald Entsuah's Heritage Imperial Mining Co. Ltd. and its predecessor, C&G Aleska, were implicated in a series of illicit mining activities.

"On November 29, 2016, Mr. Toni Aubyn, then-CEO of the Minerals Commission [...], wrote to C&G Aleska that the company was'seriously engaged in illegal mining on its prospecting license,'" he stated.

In addition, the former minister claimed that Mr. Otchere-Darko misrepresented their conversation regarding the confiscation of Heritage Imperial's equipment.

"You called to inform me that your client was in possession of a valid mining license and all required permits. I informed you that Heritage Imperial Co., Ltd. lacked the necessary documentation to engage in active mining," the response stated in part.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng went on to defend his contributions to the fight against illegal small scale mining by stating, "The [former] Minister, whom Mr. Gabby Otchere-Darko believes had a poor grasp of his position, has done more for this country and the world than Mr. Otchere-Darko could ever hope for in a million lifetimes."

He provided evidence that Mr. Otchere-Darko's clients had harmed the environment and demanded legal action against them.

"Even if your clients had all necessary licenses and permits, they should have been prosecuted, probably imprisoned, and required to reclaim the land, reforest it, and clean the water," he said.

View complete response below:
FRIMPONG-BOATENG'S RESPONSE TO MR. GABBY OTCHERE DARKO INTERVIEW ON CITI FM

I have found transcripts of remarks made by Mr. Gabby Otchere Darko during an interview on CITI FM on April 20, 2023.

After hearing Mr. Gabby Otchere-Darko's remarks, I felt sad for Ghana. I pondered what had transpired to bring us to this state, in which a counsel for a mining company displayed ignorance of mining laws and regulations on an industrial scale. I am no longer astonished that Mr. Gabby Otchere Darko has such a pixelated view of the illegal mining landscape in Ghana after reviewing the videos and photographs depicting the monumental environmental degradation in the areas where his clients operate and observing his ignorance.

Mr. Gabby Otchere-Darko appears to have forgotten that his client has a history of acting without consequence. Donald Entsuah, who ran both C&G Aleska and Heritage Imperial Mining Co., Ltd., has a history of violating mining regulations and permits.

Mr. Toni Aubyn, then-CEO of the Minerals Commission under the NDC administration, wrote to C&G Aleska on 29 November 2016 that the company was "seriously engaged in illegal mining on its prospecting license." Mr. Aubyn sent a second letter to C&G Aleska on 30 January 2017 for "illegally engaging in mining activities without obtaining all necessary permits and approvals."

Again, on 2nd October 2017, the first NPP Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. John Peter Amewu, wrote to G&G Aleska regarding the Dwuabo concession and directed that "in light of the fact that C&G Aleska lacks a valid Mining Operating Permit and that the Ministry has not yet ratified your mining lease, you are directed NOT TO CARRY OUT ANY MINING OPERATIONS in the concession until your mining lease has been ratified.

C&G Aleska transformed into Donald Entsuah's Heritage Imperial Mining Co. Ltd. This time, they settled in the Apaprama and Kobro forests in Manso, Ashanti Region, and began active mining without even a prospecting license, resulting in the devastation of forests, farmlands, and water bodies.

In 2018, the IMCIM task force attempted to halt the illicit activities of Donald Entsuah and his Heritage Imperial Company in these forest reserves.

Mr. Gabriel OtchereDarko, your claim that you called me to inquire about your client is preposterous. You could have contacted the Minerals Commission for information if you required it. You are aware that I did not run mining information services.

Your phone call informed me that your client possessed a valid mining license and all required permits. I informed you that Heritage Imperial Co., Ltd. lacked the necessary documentation to engage in active mining.

That despite your intervention, the Chinese who were detained were released by the task force. The numerous soldiers providing security for your client's business attacked the IMCIM task force team and damaged the vehicle transporting correspondents covering IMCIM operations. The unfortunate images were filmed and broadcast on JOY TV.

Mr. Otchere-Darko, I do not believe you suffer from retrograde amnesia, but I would like to remind you of your client's destruction of the environment over the years with the enclosed photographs and videos from Diaso forest and Apaprama.

Even if your clients had all necessary licenses and permits, given the destruction they caused, they should have been prosecuted, presumably imprisoned, and required to reclaim the land, reforest it, and clean the waterways.

Lastly, the [former] Minister, who Mr. Gabby Otchere-Darko believes had a poor grasp of his position, has done more for this country and the world than Mr.

Professor emeritus of Medicine Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng The enclosed items are:

Images (13) documenting the environmental destruction caused by Mr. Gabby Otchere Darko's clients

Tony Aubyn's letter to C&G Aleska, dated 29 November 2016, suspending C&G Aleska's mining operations.

Tony Aubyn's letter of 30 January 2017 suspending C&G Aleska's mining operations

The honorable John Peter Amewu's letter to C&G Aleska dated 2 October 2017 and suspending C&G Aleska mining operations

Prof. Dr. Med. Dr. h.c. (multiple) Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng is the author.