Editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper says chiefs, politicians and other public servants have been fingered in a documentary on illegal mining being prepared by his team.
Kweku Baako said the investigative team, supported by Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Tiger Eye PI, has been gathering the materials for the past nine months and will be released once all the facts have been properly verified.
Speaking on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokroko’, the veteran journalist and a sympathizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), said the details are shocking.
“It has to do with this whole galamsey thing and when we are ready, we will put out the facts. It has been going on for nine months.
“Elements in all the parties, major parties who have ruled the country, including the NPP are involved at the constituency, district and regional levels,” he said.
Residents in mining communities across the country have consistently complained about the activities of illegal miners, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
The activities of the illegal miners – which sometimes includes Chinese – have caused a lot of damage to many river bodies, including Pra and Birim.
Many farmlands and other properties have been destroyed, striping residents off their livelihood. Earlier this week, the Tanoso Water Treatment Plant in the Brong Ahafo region had to be shut down as a result of the drying up of the Tano river.
Although the drying up of the river is partly as a result of the long period of drought in the area, residents believe the indiscriminate illegal mining activities are a major factor.
Governments over the period have failed in their attempts to curb the situation. Newly appointed Western Regional minister, Dr Kwaku Afriyie says laws on illegal mining need to be enforced if the situation can be successfully addressed.
But Kweku Baako said some of the chiefs are culprits in the ongoing menace.
“Chiefs, people in the security services, the forestry and minerals commission are all part of the rot and it is spirit killing,” he said.
He is, however confident in the abilities of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to deal with the situation once the evidence is put before him.
“I believe he will act, if he doesn’t, I will be so shocked.”