The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Gyamfi, has called for the arrest of Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng.
This follows a leaked video where the Minister and Central Regional Vice-Chairman of the NPP, Horace Ekow Ewusi were reportedly making some damning statements.
Sammy Gyamfi, contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo' with host Kwami Sefa Kayi, Wednesday, said: "I am disappointed in Prof Frimpong Boateng…I had respect for him because of his contribution to Ghana as a surgeon but hearing him on tape together with Ekow Ewusi; I am so disappointed…is that how low we have sunk as a country. We handed over the fight against galamsey to you and this is what you do? Top government officials; so were the allowances not enough that you had to sell excavators? Why?"
According to him, the blame should be placed at the doorsteps of President Akufo-Addo because had he 'cracked the whip' when Charles Bissue's case came up, it would have prevented others from also doing same.
"I blame the President…why won’t this be emboldened when the President is not cracking the whip? We are calling for the immediate dismissal and arrest of Prof Frimpong Boateng. This video is an open and shut case."
Background
This leaked video comes days after reports emerged that about 500 seized excavators by Operation Vanguard - an operational team made up of various security personnel purposely set up to clamp down on illegal mining - are missing.
Prof Frimpong Boateng who is also the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), disclosed that most of the excavators that were seized from illegal miners had vanished.
He subsequently issued a letter directing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest and interrogate Ekow Ewusi after learning that he reportedly sold some of the confiscated items from illegal miners.
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