The former Environment Minister, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng has responded to comments made by NPP stalwart, Gabby Otchere Darko, concerning the former’s accusation that Mr. Otchere-Darko had interfered with his anti-galamsey campaign.
In a 36-page document written by the 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.
According to the NPP stalwart, he only called the renowned medical doctor to seek information on his client – a company that had the permits to mine in the country.
He added that Prof Frimpong Boateng deliberately twisted his mediation to cause public disaffection for him.
However, in a sharp rebuttal, the surgeon said, “Mr. Gabby Otchere Darko, it is laughable that you claim to have called me to seek information on your client. If you needed any information, you could have called the Minerals Commission. You know I did not operate mining information services.”
In his recent response, he noted that Mr. Otchere-Darko was well aware of the destruction his clients were engaged in and yet chose to use his privileged position to protect them and their destructive activities.
“You called to tell me that your client had a valid mining licence and all necessary permits. I told you that Heritage Imperial Co. Ltd. did not possess documents permitting it to undertake active mining. That notwithstanding through your intervention the Chinese, who were arrested, were released by the task force.
“The many soldiers who were providing security service to your client’s company attacked the IMCIM task force team and damaged the vehicle carrying journalists who were covering the IMCIM operations. The unfortunate scenes were captured on camera and shown on Joy News.”
