Former Environment Minister, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has recently voiced his disappointment over what he perceives as a lack of backing from President Akufo-Addo in the ongoing battle against illegal small-scale mining, commonly referred to as ‘Galamsey.’
This disillusionment follows a recent decision by the Office of the Attorney-General to clear government officials of accusations related to illegal mining activities, as pointed out by Prof Frimpong-Boateng, the erstwhile chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).
In a comprehensive 36-page report titled “Report on the work of IMCIM so far and the way forward,” Professor Frimpong-Boateng raised serious allegations against certain government officials and private citizens, suggesting their involvement in illicit mining activities.
The report has become a focal point in the ongoing discourse surrounding environmental issues and regulatory concerns associated with small-scale mining.
Responding to the Attorney General’s decision, Prof Frimpong-Boateng shared his perspective during an interview on TV3’s Hot Issue on Sunday, October 22. He reiterated his initial confidence in President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to combatting illegal mining, citing the President’s previous pledge to stake his presidency on eradicating this environmental menace.
I am not at all surprised by that characterization by the Attorney General
Let us take the fight against illegal mining, the president gave his his word that he was going to put his presidency on the line to stop that thing. I was very confident I had his support but later on, I got the impression that maybe I was wrong, he said
You will find people who have no elected or appointed positions in the party or in government, yet they appear to wield so much power that they do as they please, and party and government members are fearful of them, he added.
However, as events unfolded, Prof Frimpong-Boateng began to question the accuracy of his initial assessment, revealing a growing sense of doubt regarding the President’s support.
This public expression of discontent from a former high-ranking official adds complexity to the ongoing debate on galamsey, shedding light on internal dynamics within the government and raising broader concerns about the efficacy of current measures in place to curb illegal mining activities.
As the narrative unfolds, environmentalists, policymakers, and the public closely watch the developments, emphasizing the critical need for a collaborative and decisive approach to address the environmental challenges posed by illegal small-scale mining.
