MP begs Kumbuor over false ‘military galamsey’ claim

The Member of Parliament for Manso Adubea in the Ashanti region Yaw Frimpong has apologized to the former Defence Minister over his allegations that Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor ordered military personnel to guard illegal mining concessions.

Hon. Frimpong made the claim after concerns were raised by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister John Peter Amewu over the presence of some soldiers protecting galamsey sites in the country.’

The legislator in an interview on an Accra based Radio station stated that he had interacted with Dr. Kumbuor who confirmed that the military were deployed at the instance of the Defence ministry.

But speaking on the Ultimate Breakfast Show Wednesday morning, the MP retracted and apologised to Dr Kumbuor claiming that he was misquoted by the media.

“The reporters have misinterpreted what I said about my brother Benjamin Kumbuor…if my brother thinks that I have brought his name into disrepute then I am sorry, it wasn’t in any negative way at all.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Kumbour in an earlier interview on Starr FM rubbished claims by the MP that he approved military protection for the Russia and Ukraine nationals who were arrested for illegal mining Monday.

According to him, the decision to deploy military men anywhere in the country is solely taken by the Military Command structure and not the minister.

“These things are normally done by the military high command. So it will be very unusual for me to be telling an honourable member that I did such a thing.

“Even if I take a decision on such matters, it will be referred to the military high command to implement because they are operational matters. So I find it quiet serious that one will say such a thing,” he said.