The former Environment Minister has disclosed that through the intervention of the cousin of President Akufo-Addo, some arrested Chinese engaged in illegal mining in the Ashanti Region were released.
According to him, while at it, they damaged the vehicle carrying journalists who were covering the IMCIM operations.
In a 36-page document written by Prof. Boateng and addressed to the President, the chief of staff, and the police, Mr Otchere-Darko and other government officials were fingered to have thwarted the then minister’s attempt to fight the galamsey menace.
Denying the accusation, Mr Otchere-Darko stated that he had not asked the minister to engage in any illegality or condone same.
He added that Prof Frimpong Boateng deliberately twisted his mediation to cause public disaffection for him.
But the celebrated surgeon takes an exception to Mr Otchere-Darko’s comment.
“Even if your clients had all licences and permits, with the destruction that they caused, not only should they have been stopped from operating a mining company indefinitely, but they should also have been prosecuted, probably jailed, made to reclaim the land, vegetate it and clean the water bodies,” Prof Boateng said.
Read his full response below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pZMV6QWHV5Pjl3lVDjFH6HpgzZGrypv5/preview
Myjoyonline.com