Despite a release from the Information Ministry threatening to sue Captain Smart and his employers and a referral of comments made by the broadcaster about the president to the NMC, the Maakye host has reiterated his stance that “President Akufo-Addo is actively involved in galamsey.”
He earlier made the comment Monday, October 17, 2022, which triggered a release from the Ministry of Information, absolving the president from the act, indicating a referral of the case to the National Media Commission for review and adjudication, as well as a possible suit.
This, many believed would have made the broadcaster come with an apology and retraction Tuesday. But Captain Smart has reiterated his comments giving four reasons why the President is an active illegal miner.
He says the release of Aisha Huang on her first arrest championed by then Senior Minister, Osafo-Maafo, Chairman Wontumi still at post despite indulging in galamsey, Minerals Commission’s admittance of not licensing Akonta Mining, belonging to Wontumi to mine in the Tano Nimiri forest as well as the President’s inability to ban Small Scale Mining makes him an active ‘galamseyer’.
“These are the reasons why Nana is a galamsey kingpin. Osafo Maafo is a Senior Advisor to the President but asked us to allow Aisha Huang to go because of $2 billion when she was arrested. Is the $2 billion more important than our lands?
“Secondly, Chairman Wontumi is doing galamsey but still at post. Meanwhile, Kwabena Agyapong, Sammy Crabbe and Paul Afoko were suspended for doing things against party. They didn’t do anything to the state but the party. But Wontumi is doing something that is against the country. Is the party more important than the country?
“Also, the Minerals Commission boss has said Wontumi had no license to enter the Tano Nimiri forest. But the only thing government was able to do was to ask some small boys to put some old equipments there for them to burn them to suggest they have taken any action. If you’re not a kingpin, sack Wontumi.”
He explained further that per the Minerals Commission Act, any mineral found on any land anywhere belongs to the state. So the president’s failure to arrest those involved in the act makes him an accomplice.
“If you’re taking custody of something and we can’t find it, then you should be questioned,” he added.
Captain Smart’s fourth reason he stated is the President’s inability to stop Small Scale Mining.
“If you are not a galamsey kingpin, ban Small Scale Mining. You know Small Scale Mining is destroying the lands yet you’re not saying anything about it,” he noted.
By Felix Anim-Appau|Onuaonline.com
