Absence of Charles Bissue affecting galamsey fight; Frimpong Boateng suffering - Ekow Ewusi

The absence of Charles Bissue is affecting the fight against galamsey according to Ekow Ewusi, leader of the Anti Galamsey Taskforce of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining.

Charles Bissue, Presidential staffer and General Secretary to the Inter-ministerial committee stepped aside when he was captured reportedly collecting bribe in a galamsey expose put together by ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

Mr Bissue in the video was captured among other government officials receiving various sum of money to facilitate processes and provide security for a mining company.

He has however denied this allegation.

“I would like to state at the outset that I am innocent of the allegations levelled against me in the documentary, as I was not and have not been engaged in any act of corruption, criminality or misconduct. However, in the interest of transparency and accountability, and so not of compromise the work of the IMCIM, I have informed President Akufo-Addo, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Chairperson of the IMCIM of my decision to step aside from my position pending investigation into the issue,” he indicated in a statement.

Ekow Ewusi speaking on Friday's edition of Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo', also said the absence of Mr Bissue has increased the workload on Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

"...all the work is now on the Minister...those conducting the investigation should let Ghanaians know if he is innocent or not; so that he can come back to work or a different person appointed. Prof Frimpong is suffering…so the investigators should let us know how far they’ve gone with this Charles Bissue issue" he requested.

Watch his submission below