Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, claims Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the former Minister of Science, Environment, Technology and Innovation, should be invited by the Police CID, following allegations he made in his galamsey report.
A 37-page document, authored by the former Chairman of the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, accused government officials of engaging in ‘galamsey’ and interfering in his work.
The lawmaker speaking in an interview, proposed that the former Minister should be called for questioning.
“Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng should be invited to speak to the document. Government has sort of watered down the document, claiming that it’s not official and all that, so he has to be invited. In any case, he has to be heard.”
Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor
The South Dayi MP also claimed that all member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who were equally accused in the report, should be investigated as well.
“If anybody in my party is found to be culpable, why not? They should be investigated. In any case, if you say NDC members, who are you specifically talking about? If you say a deputy minister under the NDC administration, who exactly are you referring to? Even the innuendo is not qualified enough, it’s just an innuendo…You haven’t said anything. He could have been more specific; he could have given better and further particulars.”
Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor
The legislator believes there must be a thorough probe into the allegations, despite the fact that the presidency and persons accused in the report, have all discredited the allegations.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) was petitioned by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor on April 25, to probe the damning report on galamsey in Ghana, which was authored by Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng. The petition was presented to CHRAJ through the MP’s lawyer, Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo Esq.
However, CHRAJ stated that it will assess the complaint filed by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor. CHRAJ Commissioner, Joseph Whittal, speaking in an interview, claimed that various procedures will be initiated before a full-scale inquiry begins.
CHRAJ Gives Galamsey Report The Needed Attention
The Commission on the Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) accepted the petition from South Dayi MP, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor to probe the report on illegal mining, authored by Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the former Environment Minister.
The South Dayi legislator on Tuesday, April 25, petitioned CHRAJ to investigate violations of fundamental human rights, alleged corrupt practices, issues of conflict of interest and abuse of public office by certain public officials, cited in the report of the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).
The Commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal, speaking an interview said: “We [CHRAJ] would with the means available to the Commission, give it the deserved attention that this particular ‘galamsey’ report which has bedeviled the public space deserves.”
According to him, although the Commission has received and is studying the report, they will establish prima facie to determine whether the allegations trigger the mandate of CHRAJ.
He added that after studying the petition submitted, it is likely for the Commission to undertake a preliminary investigation into the matter, adding that “We may even invite the lawyer [petitioner’s lawyer] for further particulars…When we are satisfied, we will then proceed to determine who the respondents in the case are.”
The Commissioner of CHRAJ noted that when the respondents are made known, as natural justice will require, they would be requested to comment on the matter. He added that the next step will then be determined by CHRAJ.
When asked of timelines, he expects the probe to run, he said “Looking at the quantum, the sheer size of the petition and the accompanying documents, and the possibility that we will be getting back to the lawyers, if any, and then the preliminary investigation, I cannot put my hand on it.”
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