The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has invited former Environment Minister, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng to help it investigate allegations levelled against some top government officials in his galamsey report.
The former minister, who chaired the inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), is expected to aid the Special Prosecutor look into suspected cases of corruption with regards to the activities of the dissolved committee.
Professor Frimpong Boateng in a statement issued on Thursday,May 4 said “earlier today, I received a letter from the Office of the Special Prosecutor inviting me to assist the Office, ‘as a person necessary for the investigation” into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the activities and expenditure of the dissolved Inter- Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).”
He indicated his resolve to willingly assist Mr. Kissi Agyebeng and his office in his work.
“I have formally communicated my willingness to attend the invitation and to support the OSP in its work.”
The OSP’s invitation comes barely 72 hours after the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng said his outfit is already investigating a number of galamsey activities including those cited in the report of the former Chairperson of the erstwhile Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng sent a 36-page report in 2021 to the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President on galamsey activities in the country, but the contents of that report got leaked just recently, and became the most discussed topic for two weeks running.
Government officials cited in the report have denied their involvement while the Presidency has described the report as the professor’s personal grievances.