OSP investigates Bissue, Akonta Mining, Prof Frimpong-Boateng

Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) says it is investigating a number of public officials including Mr Charles Bissue, former Secretary of the dissolved Inter-ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) on suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of small-scale mining.

Other officials being investigated by the OSP but not named are from the Ministry of Lands and Resources and the Forestry Commission.

The OSP in a press release dated October 10, 2022 and signed by Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor said the investigations also target activities of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining, especially the seizure and management of excavators, machinery, road vehicles and gold nuggets.

According to the OSP, the investigations include the active and ongoing inquiry into allegations of use of public office for profit against Mr Bissues, during his tenure as Secretary to the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining, arising from an investigative Documentary titled Galamsey Fraud Part 1 by Tiger Eye P.I.

The release explained that the investigations further target the activities of Akonta Mining Limited, and other companies; nationals of foreign countries allegedly involved in illegal mining and allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences against some Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as political party officials.

In March 2017, President Akufo-Addo inaugurated the newly created committee which was headed by the former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng and tasked them to clamp down on illegal small-scale mining also known as galamsey.

On January 10, 2021, President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo dissolved the Inter-ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).

IMCIM was established by the New Patriotic Party government to clamp down on illegal small mining also known as galamsey which was causing havoc to the country’s water resources and lands.

The Committee was headed by the former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng.

The President also moved the fight against illegal mining from the Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation to the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry.

Scandals 

From corruption allegations levelled against some of its leaders as well as claims of missing excavators seized from illegal small-scale miners, some members of the committee were also shown in a video documentary filed by Anas Aremeyaw Anas taking monies alleged to be bribed.