Former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and former chair of the committee on illegal mining, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has firmly denied allegations that he failed to address the illegal mining issue during his tenure.
Speaking on JoyNews’ “The Pulse” on July 24, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng addressed the widespread perception that he did not fulfill his mandate effectively.
He attributed this perception to a misunderstanding of his role as the committee chair.
“My job was to draw the attention of leadership to the illegal mining issue. I reported to the president whenever I encountered significant issues,” he clarified.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng highlighted one of his major accomplishments: bringing to light the Forest Commission’s practice of allocating forest reserves for mining activities. This revelation was a critical step in addressing the illegal mining problem, he argued.
Despite his efforts, the perception that he did not achieve significant results persists. However, he emphasized that his work did lead to substantial outcomes, including a report that resulted in legal action against him for alleged defamation.
“I didn’t fail, no,” he stated unequivocally.
When questioned about the ongoing pollution of rivers, despite his claimed successes, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng explained that the persistence of the problem was due to recidivism among offenders.
He noted that even after individuals are arrested and serve their sentences, they often return to illegal mining activities. This recurrence, he argued, should not be seen as a reflection of his performance.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s remarks come amidst growing concerns about the continued prevalence of illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey,” which has severely affected Ghana’s environment and water bodies.