We are unable to recommend prosecution of persons cited in Frimpong Boateng's report - AG to CID

The Office of the Attorney-General in its advice to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police Service says it is unable to recommend the prosecution of persons who were cited in the Professor Frimpong Boateng report to have engaged in illegal mining activities. 

In a September 12, 2023 letter concluding a review of a docket submitted by the CID, the AG's office noted that except for three persons (Seth Mantey, John Ofori Atta and Ekow Ewusi), it did not find any evidence in support of allegations made against others cited in the report.

“Investigations by the Police have not revealed any evidence in support of the allegations. The allegations are therefore bare and do not provide a basis for any criminal charge against the persons cited in the Report, except the three mentioned above,” the AG's review signed by Chief State Attorney, Evelyn Keelson said.

The AG also noted that Professor Frimpong Boateng had many times refused to provide the police with further information or a statement regarding the allegations, indicating that “his Report is an embodiment of his statement.”

In the matter of the three still under investigation, the AG has asked the police to conclude investigations and present a report to him. 

“Even though the Police diary of action shows that John Ofori Atta was invited by the police, there is no indication that he was interviewed or that a statement was taken from him. There is also no statement from Mr Ekow Ewusi on the docket. The A-G instructed the Police to wind up investigations on that issue and furnish him with a report on same. We await the outcome of the investigations being conducted in the case involving Seth Mantey, John Ofori Atta and Ekow Ewusi.”

Prof Frimpong-Boateng, a former Minister of Environment and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), earlier in March on a GBC programme had alleged that some government officials and private persons were involved in illegal mining activities, otherwise known as ‘Galamsey.'

Following his interview, he was interrogated by the police and a report was sent to the Attorney-General for advice.

In his 36-page document titled “Report on the work of IMCIM so far and the way forward”.he had also noted same, indicating that some individuals in government frustrated his efforts and the committee he chaired in addressing the issue of illegal mining. 

The report specifically cited Laud Commey, Charles Niii Teiko, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, all appointees at the Jubilee House, which is the seat of the Presidency, as interfering in the fight against illegal mining.

Also cited in the report were Joseph Albert Quarm, a former MP of Manso Nkwanta Constituency and Board Member of the Minerals Commission, who is alleged to have used his position to acquire large-scale concessions in the district which he sold for GHC 200,000 per concession.

A former NDC MP for Wassa East Constituency was also mentioned as actively mining in the Subri Forest for years.

Others cited in the Report are Seth Mantey, John Ofori Atta, and Ekow Ewusi, alleged to be involved in the sale of excavators, while Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, and journalist Kweku Baako Jnr are said to have done acts which directly or indirectly inhibited the Professor in his fight against illegal mining.