Former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng
Doctor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng
The Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Joseph Whittal, has refuted allegations that former Environment Minister Prof. Frimpong-Boateng was implicated in.
Symphony Limited, a business owned by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng's wife and subsequently by his son, was allegedly involved in illegal transactions.
But according to Mr. Whittal, a 2019 investigation prompted by a petition against the renowned surgeon revealed that he had genuine concessions.
"We examined allegations made against Professor Frimpong-Boateng. We conducted a comprehensive investigation, compiled a 116-page report, and concluded that he was not involved in illicit mining concessions.
"He had legitimate concessions, but he had trouble even beginning the processing of these concessions due to community violence against his company," he said on Accra-based TV3.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng provided the identities of government officials and New Patriotic Party members at Jubilee House who are actively engaged in illegal small-scale mining, also known as 'galamsey.' As a result, the controversy has intensified over the past few days.
Some NPP power brokers were accused of hiring Chinese nationals to participate in galamsey on their behalf in a 37-page report signed and addressed to the President, the Chief of Staff, and the police.
Charles Bissue, a former presidential staffer and Secretary to IMCIM, questioned the report's timing and added that Prof. Frimpong- Boateng is "not clean" regarding the nation's illicit mining issues.
According to him, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng should have included his name.
Mr. Whittal insisted, however, that Prof. Frimpong-Boateng's family, including his son and his wife, were all exonerated as a result of their investigations.