President Akufo-Addo is assuring Ghanaians that “No one involved (missing excavator’s scandal) will be shielded no matter their position.
According to the president, police will be given a free hand to investigate circumstances leading to some missing excavators in the fight against galamsey.
“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the whereabouts of the missing excavators and other mining equipment’s,” the President has said during the 2020 state of the nation address in parliament, suggesting that a claim by the Minority that the missing seized equipment are a sign that he is committed to ending galamsey is false.
“Operation Vanguard has been largely successful even though problems still remain,” he added.
He, however, revealed that “The threat posed to the future of our country by Galamsey is great and we cannot shirk our responsibility. The government will not weaken its stance and welcomes the support of the media coalition (Coalition against illegal mining)”
The assurance from the President comes in the wake of reports of official complicity in the missing excavators.
Some leading members of the ruling party have pointed accusing fingers at the Lands and Environment Minister Prof. Frimpong Boateng of being an accomplice in the scandal.
The opposition NDC has also called on the government to account for the 900 excavators which have been seized since the fight against illegal mining started.