Ekow Ewusi Puts BNI On Tail Of Environment Minister Over Missing galamsey Excavators

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)’ embattled First Vice Chairman for the Central Region, who is being investigated over the disappearance of excavators confiscated from illegal miners by government task force, has petitioned the Bureau of National Investigations to investigate the Environment and Science Minister, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, over the issue.

In a letter to the Director General of the BNI, Ekow Ewusi insinuates that the Minister is an obvious person of interest in the matter who does not only smell with suspicion over the whereabouts of the excavators and gold seized from illegal miners, but that even the Minister’s “boy” is an active illegal miner.

Until 31st October, 2019, a reliable and accurate document prepared by Operation Vanguard, and accompanied by an audit from IMCIM, which corresponded with my records indicated that a total of two hundred and fifty-four (254) excavators had been confiscated. The last audit indicated that, an undeniable one hundred (100) of these excavators had been released under the direct orders and instructions of the Hon Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Frimpong Boateng with the remainder, all in safe keeping yards in Accra.

I was bewildered by a media reportage purporting to be an interview with the Hon Minister which has been widely circulated in the news airwaves, indicating that five hundred (500) excavators had gone missing. This I found intriguing and a calculated attempt aimed at reducing my reputation in the minds of right-thinking members of society as I was tasked to keep charge of these excavators. A recent interview by Citi TV, with aide to Prof. Frimpong Boateng, Nana Yaw Boadu, revealed that the number given by his boss, was overly exaggerated and without any merit whatsoever.”

He adds in the letter that, “I further petition your good office to cause an investigation into the whereabouts of all confiscated Gold, Movable vehicles and auxiliary logistics hauled to the office of the Chairman of IMCIM-Prof Frimpong Boateng.”

The petition to the BNI, is coming after Horace Ekow Ewusi, who is apparently not in a mood to go down alone after corruption engulfing Frimpong Boateng’s IMCIM had been exposed, earlier secretly recorded a video chat with Prof. Boateng.

In the video, the Minister who is supposed to be chief vanguard against illegal mining, is clearly heard revealing that he had allowed illegal mines belonging to NPP party people to continue to be operational while closing down others.

IProf. Frimpong Boateng is also heard agreeing to suggestions that he had distributed galamsey equipment to party people to aid them generate money from the illegal mining to support the ruling party.

Following the revelation, the Police invited Horace Ekow Ewusi to help with investigation. It appears that this petition is his clap back at Prof. Frimpong Boateng, who has so far come across as the ring leader of the corrupt gang secretly engaged in galamsey.

Ekow Ewusi, in his petition, directly names what appear to be illegal mining companies with links to Prof. Frimpong Boateng, and at least, one person, that he wants the BNI to probe.

“There was a framework implemented by IMCIM to engage constituents in the mining enclave in community mining which I believe will be of interest to your office to also investigate these mining towns engaged in this Community Mining Programmes, namely Okyerekrom, Nkoteng, Kotokuom and Fomena which have all benefited from the Community Mining and to whose benefit and interest were these Community Mining programme designed and formulated.

“I submit to your noble office to also proceed with investigations in the operations and activities of these companies, Thy will Company Ltd, Symphony Company Ltd, River Restoration Company Ltd and their relationships with the IMCIM. An additional Investigation is hereby requested to be caused into the mining activities and operations of a young man believed to be an aide to Prof Frimpong Boateng otherwise known in Mpasatia as “Joe Farasee”.”

Meanwhile, the NPP’s Member Of Parliament for Abura Asebu Kwamankese Constituency, has admitted that he bought one of the excavators for Ghc200,000 from Prof. Frimpong Boatemg, through the instrumentality of Horace Ekow Ewusi and Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

According to him, the purchase was made after he had contacted the information Minister in 2017 and made his desire known. Oppong Nkrumah had then advised him to see Prof. according to him,. His purchase was delievered that very day.

Interestingly, the law governin g confiscated galamsey equipment demands that once the confiscations have been done, they are supposed to be handed over to the Police.