Frimpong-Boateng Fight for the Presidency through Galamsey
Former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng had to bare his teeth on some officials at Jubilee House, the seat of government by accusing them of involvement in illegal mining known as “Galamsey”.
Without naming names, according to him, the accused were allegedly planning to leave the government after the fight against the illegal small-scale mining trade, only to continue the illegal practice.
The former Minister who spoke on Ghana Television said that “I don’t want to give details now because I have a lot to say. Let me tell you that I did not take one excavator for nothing, they know the truth. Now it is happening, we know who is behind and the existing party people, people in government including Jubilee House who are doing galamsey and so on, even now.
“So let Frimpong Boateng stay in the corner and enjoy his retirement,” he said when asked about the 500 excavators he declared missing.
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, since becoming President in 2017, has tried to fight galamsey.
Recalling, he told the House of Chiefs that the task of protecting the land and the environment from the effects of galamsey is a joint responsibility between the government and the traditional rulers.
President Akufo-Addo explained during a meeting with Chiefs in Kumasi on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, that 80 percent of land in Ghana is in the custody of chiefs.
This means they have a role to play in protecting resources, he said.
He said, “80 percent of the land in this country is under your control, most of it has been bought through the blood and sacrifice of your ancestors. The remaining 20 percent which I believe Ghanaians, comes from the acquisition of the country from you. What this means is that, in the end, the well-being of the country is our collective responsibility, even with the mineral statute on the ground belonging to the president who is trusted by the people.
Leaders in the section assured President Akufo-Addo that he is strong in his administration to take appropriate measures against all those involved in Galamsey in the country.
The President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi pointed out that galamsey is damaging the environment and also threatens revenue mobilization.
He then decided to support the President and the government to fight back.
He said, “the relentless fight against forest degradation and illegal mining in Ghana is very important to Ghanaians, especially us chiefs.
“The effects of illegal mining on the environment threaten the safety of water bodies, farmlands, the chocolate industry and even encourage school dropouts, this undermines the revenue mobilization drive in the country”.
“Given this development [the Chiefs] strongly behind your administration to impose appropriate sanctions on those who engage in illegal mining practices regardless of their status.
By Daniel Bampoe
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