Former Member of Parliament for Manso Nkwanta, Joseph Albert Quarm, has denied allegations of engaging in illegal mining activities leveled against him by former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng. According to a report by Professor Frimpong-Boateng, Mr Quarm, who was a member of the Minerals Commission, sold large-scale mining concessions to private individuals, including party members in his district.
However, in an interview with Citi FM, Mr Quarm refuted the claims and called on Professor Frimpong-Boateng to retract the allegations and apologize. He denied owning any concessions and challenged the former minister to produce documents bearing his name. Mr Quarm further stated that he does not even own a pin of a concession.
“I don’t even own a pin of a concession, let alone several… I don’t have any concessions. If he confirms that it is from him, I will let my lawyers write to him to demand retraction and apology, and I will advise myself,” Mr Quarm said.
The report also accused some members of the governing New Patriotic Party of engaging Chinese nationals to undertake galamsey on their behalf. According to Professor Frimpong-Boateng, many party officials from the national to the unit committee level had their friends, agents, relatives, financiers, or relatives engaged in illegal mining.
“In a nutshell, the report alleges that some appointees in the Jubilee House are doing or supporting illegal mining or interfering with the fight against the menace,” Professor Frimpong-Boateng said.
This revelation follows a crackdown on illegal mining, which has destroyed large tracts of forest, polluted rivers, and contaminated soil, leading to health hazards for residents in mining communities. The government has committed to ending illegal mining, which is also known as galamsey, and has introduced several measures to curb the menace.
In conclusion, the former MP has denied engaging in illegal mining activities, and called on Professor Frimpong-Boateng to retract his allegations and apologize. The report also accuses some members of the governing New Patriotic Party of engaging Chinese nationals to undertake galamsey on their behalf.