Captain Smart has reiterated an earlier call he made for the arrest of Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng.
The Anɔpa Bɔfoɔ host on Angel FM says he has evidence that the former Environment, Science and Innovation Minister is immensely involved in the ongoing galamsey activities that is causing a threat on water bodies and other natural resources.
He had earlier called on the President to arrest the former Minister following the failure of the Inter-Ministerial Committee Against Illegal Mining (IMCAIM) to curb galamsey, where Prof. Frimpong-Boateng was the leader.
On the “Anɔpa Gya” segment of the Morning Show keenly followed by Ghanasonline.com Friday, April 30, 2021, Mr. Smart averred one Korang has organised a presser rubbishing his earlier claims of the Professor’s involvement in the illegal mining.
In the audio played on the show on Angel FM, Mr. Korang noted then and current Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul is equally complicit and should any government official be implicated, he (Nitiwul) shouldn’t be left out.
But Captain Smart who called the bluff of Mr. Korang said he wants to meet him face-to-face to answer some 27 questions to prove to him why the former Korle-Bu Cardio centre boss must be arrested and prosecuted.
“Mr. President, arrest Prof. Frimpong-Boateng. I’m repeating. Did Prof. tell the President that he has a mining company? Did he say that he owned a concession in 1990 and mined then and continued in 2013?,” he quizzed.
Captain Smart also said the report furnished the President named a senior military officer at the Jubilee House who is also involved in the illegal mining which could be the reason Professor Frimpong-Boateng wasn’t reappointed.
He further noted there are some “specially selected military officers deliberately stationed at the Jubilee House who have been providing small arms to the ‘galamseyers’,” threatening that “if they are men, they should step foot to the galamsey sites this weekend to collect money like they’re planning.”
On Wednesday, December 28, 2017, the IMCAIM was established by government to clamp down on 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.
Also, he established Operation Vanguard, a Military task force charged with the enforcement of the clampdown on the field.
The taskforce has since been in operation, but, has been described as dormant by a section of the public over claims that their operations have not been effective in the country.
However, upon the Committee’s failure to execute its mandate amidst series of bribery allegations and involvement of some Committee members in the act, President Akufo-Addo on January 10, 2021, dissolved the Committee.
He has subsequently deployed 200 soldiers to restart the clamp down process.