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5 years agoon
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FrimpongThe Assin Central Member of Parliament punctuates his statements with similes and metaphors, likening President Akufo-Addo to a tree without roots. The roots, he says, are rotten hence danger is imminent.
Kennedy Agyapong, a leading member of the ruling New Patriotic Party is furious over how the fight against illegal mining has been crippled by some bigwigs of his party as he chronicles efforts made to neutralize attempts to end the canker.
“It’s very disturbing. Ekow Ewusi is not the only culprit; most of the big men are offenders as well. They should bow down their heads in shame,” he says in his submission on Net2 TV.
“I dare the bigwigs. They should stay away. All the plans of Akufo-Addo are being rendered fruitless when it comes to galamsey. You seize somebody’s excavator and hand it over to your sons. How can you even talk about Mahama and the Airbus saga?”
Mr. Agyapong insists that the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng who doubles as the chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), is one of the persons thwarting the efforts of Akufo-Addo in the fight against galamsey.
“Yesterday, I met minister of defence and he told me there are two states of military. His is the Operation Vanguard; and Frimpong Boateng has galamstop soldiers. When the galamstop soldiers arrest offenders, Ekow Ewusi then comes with a truck.”
A video circulating on social media, days after some 500 excavators seized by Operation Vanguard team were reportedly missing seem to be implicating some members of the NPP.
In the video, Horace Ekow Ewusi, suspended vice chairman of NPP in the Agona West constituency, is heard discussing with Prof Frimpong-Boateng how they can engage some party folks on some mining concessions in order to raise money from the illegal activities to support the party.
Mr. Ewusi was also heard saying he went to the minister’s office with the General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, with a request to mine illegally so the proceeds would be used to support the party.
“…Did you tell me that you are done forming the team? We talked about the framework…we all know that the party needs money… I told you that Chairman Wontumi has some concession so go there and inspect the place… but after the meeting, you told me that you are done with everything and your guys have started working…” the minister responded.
Ewusi stated further that, Elvis Morris Donkor, the Member of Parliament for Abura, Asebu, Kwamankese (AAK), had also requested for an excavator from Frimpong-Boateng to use on some galamsey sites.
“The last time you met my MP [Elvis Donkor] in Parliament, he told you that he will also need a machine to work with and you even asked him to come and see me because I have a lot of these excavators,” he said to the minister who then denied knowing the said MP for Abura, Asebu, Kwamankese (AAK).
“I don’t even know this Elvis Donkor you are talking about, who is he? I don’t know him…where did he say I met him?” Prof Frimpong-Boateng quizzed.
The heated exchange got Prof Frimpong-Boateng angry. He then asked Ewusi to walk out of his office.
“Ekow, please go away…don’t annoy me today. Please walk out…the way you are talking I don’t like it…you can’t come here to accuse me. You go; when I’m ready I’ll call you…I’m doing something for tomorrow…” the minister fumed with rage.