The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is reportedly preparing to launch comprehensive investigations into a number of high-profile individuals named in the controversial 2021 report on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The report, authored by former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, surfaced in public discourse in 2023, alleging the involvement of prominent politicians, government officials, and businesspeople in illicit mining activities that have caused significant environmental degradation across Ghana.
In a recent development, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has formally instructed EOCO to revisit the Frimpong-Boateng report and thoroughly investigate all persons mentioned within the document.
Additionally, the Attorney-General directed an investigation into two National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives who have recently been accused of alleged involvement in illegal mining (galamsey).
Dr. Ayine stated, “I am directing your office to invite the following persons named in recent credible reports for interrogation, namely, Mr. Yakubu Abanga and Mr. Joseph Yamin.”
All these individuals, both those cited in the Frimpong-Boateng report and the newly named NDC executives, are reportedly accused of undermining the government’s anti-galamsey campaign.
Among the notable figures explicitly named or strongly implicated in the document, along with their alleged involvement, are:
- Mr. Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko: A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a lawyer, he is alleged to have defended a company (Heritage Imperial Limited) actively involved in destroying forests and polluting the River Offin, despite presidential directives against such activities.
- Mr. Charles Bissue, a former Presidential Staffer and Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), is implicated in the alleged illegal sale of seized excavators, having appointed Ekow Ewusi and one other to the task force managing them, with Ewusi later implicated in extorting money from miners and selling the excavators.
- Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (aka Sir John): The late CEO of the Forestry Commission, he is accused of actively issuing timber concessions in forest reserves and granting forestry entry permits to mining companies, including foreign nationals, for prospecting activities, even during a presidential ban. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng stated he told the President that Sir John was “the greatest danger to the forests of Ghana.”
- Mr. Charles Owusu: Former, Director of Operations at the Forestry Commission, he is alleged to have claimed ownership of concessions and excavators found in a forest reserve, indicating direct involvement in illegal mining activities despite his official position.
- Mr. Frank Asiedu Bekoe (popularly known as Protozoa): From the Office of the former Chief of Staff, he is accused of interfering with anti-galamsey operations by calling for the release of seized excavators.
- Mr. Joseph Albert Quarm: Former MP for Manso Nkwanta and a former board member of the Minerals Commission, he is alleged to have used his position to acquire and sell numerous large-scale concessions for personal financial gain, ostensibly for community mining purposes.
- Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah: Former Minister for Information, he is alleged to have plotted to discredit Prof. Frimpong-Boateng and magnified the “missing excavators” falsehood in the press and before Cabinet, despite being an IMCIM member.
- Senior Minister (former) Yaw Osafo Maafo: He is alleged to have intervened in investigations concerning unlawful excavator sales and encouraged a campaign against Prof. Frimpong-Boateng.
- Mr. Seth Mantey: A journalist, he confessed to being involved in money laundering related to the proceeds from illegal excavator sales.
- Mr. Ekow Ewusi: A former NPP Vice Chairman in the Central Region, he is implicated in extortion and the illegal sale of excavators.
- Capt. Kodah: From the former government’s presidential security detail, he is cited for interfering with anti-galamsey operations by requesting the release of seized excavators.
- Mr. Donald Entsuah: His companies, C&J Aleska and later Imperial Heritage Mining Company, are extensively detailed for causing severe environmental destruction in various forests and allegedly operating with military protection despite directives.
While some of those named have publicly denied any wrongdoing, others have dismissed the allegations as baseless or politically motivated.
For instance, Gabby Otchere-Darko and Kojo Oppong Nkrumah have both refuted the claims, with Otchere-Darko having previously threatened legal action.
EOCO’s investigation is expected to focus on scrutinising financial transactions, asset declarations, and potential breaches of anti-corruption and environmental laws by the individuals cited.
Professor Frimpong-Boateng, who chaired the IMCIM, submitted his report in 2021 after leaving office. He has consistently stood by his findings, stating in interviews that the report was not an act of revenge but a genuine attempt to expose systemic issues within Ghana’s natural resource governance system.
The renewed investigation by EOCO signals a fresh push for accountability in the fight against illegal mining.
Read Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s full report below:
