Government dissociates itself from Osafo Maafo’s comment?

It appears government does not subscribe to the comments put out by the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo, a few weeks ago on why the notorious "Chinese Galamsey Queen' Aisha Huang, was left off the hook by state prosecutors despite overwhelming evidence that she had flouted Ghana's laws.

NPP Member of Parliament for the Ledzokuku Constituency, Dr. Bernard Oko-Boye says Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo’s comment does not represent the thoughts of the ruling administration.

He was of the view that the Senior Minister spoke for himself and not for government.

The Senior Minister addressing a town hall meeting in the United States recently was asked by the participants why Ghana deported 'Chinese galamsey queen' Aisha Huang without prosecuting her.

In his response he said: said: “… Putting that lady [Aisha Huang – the Chinese galamsey queen] in jail in Ghana is not going to solve your economic problems. It is not going to make you or me happy, that’s not important”.

He further indicated: “today, the main company that is helping develop the infrastructure system in Ghana is Sinohydro, it is a Chinese company. It is the one that is going to help process our bauxite and provide about $2 billion to us”.

His reaction has however created a lot of controversies with many questioning the ruling government’s commitment in fighting illegal mining; popularly known as ‘galamsey’ in the country.

Dr Okoe Boye commenting on this said some of the issues raised by the Senior Minister during the town hall meeting were ‘pleasing to the ears’.



However, “this (galamsey queen comment) is not pleasing to the ears” adding, “…government as an entity will not treat people based on their respective country's donor support…”

Dr Okoe Boye who was contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, further indicated that Mr Osafo Maafo “speaks for himself” and that his comment does not represent the ideas of President Akufo-Addo.

“He speaks for himself…he did not speak on behalf of government,” he stated.