The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) via a communique on October 10, has announced its investigation into the steady rising cases of illegal mining operations(galamsey) in the nation. The document, signed by the Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, expressly states that this investigation will be targeting government officials who are alleged to be involved in galamsey related activities. The OSP appears to have reason to believe that some members of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Forestry Commission may be complicit in the festering nature of the galamsey problem, as these are the specific government sectors to be investigated in the new operation. The Prof. Frimpong-Boateng led Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), which was commissioned in December of 2016 and later dissolved in January 2021, is also set to be probed.
Tiger Eye P.I recently released a documentary on galamsey activities across the country that seems to implicate some officials of the said ministries as having used public offices for personal profit. The exposé also unravels the operations of Akonta Mining Ltd, owned by popular politician Chairman Wontumi (Bernard Antwi Bosiako), alleging that the firm is operating without lease in some communities.
Scourge of Galamsey And The Cost of Government Failure
The topic of illegal mining has been the headline of many heated discussions in the public sphere as there are alarming, and very warranted concerns being raised about the impact of these activities on our the vegetation and natural water bodies in the country. The facts surrounding the Aisha Huang proceedings in court have only agitated the public further and people are beginning to demand more accountability from the government. Seeing as the current government, while in opposition, was very vocal in criticising the previous administration on the matter and yet things have only got worse since the present administration took over, the criticisms are more than justified.
Considering all the present developments, it remains to be seen what will become of this investigation, and whether culprits will be properly subjected to the law. Or will this be another entry into the ever-lengthening list of PR “witch-hunts” in this country?
