The Extraction Accountability Project (TEAP), a civil society organisation, has petitioned the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate the alleged release of 43 seized excavators linked to illegal mining in Tarkwa.
According to the petition, the heavy-duty machines, which were impounded at Simpa Junction, were secretly released through backroom dealings involving senior government officials and military officers.
The group, in a petition signed by its secretary, Charles McCarthy, urged EOCO to name, shame and prosecute all persons involved, arguing that the release undermines Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.
The petition cited the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, senior military officers and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) as being implicated in the matter.
A portion noted, “We, the undersigned, acting under the mandate of The Extraction Accountability Project (TEAP), a civil society organisation dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable, management of Ghana’s natural resources, respectfully submit this petition to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) pursuant to Section 3 of the Economic and Organised Crime Act, 2010 (Act 804).”
TEAP accused them of collusion, bribery and selectively enforcing the law in favour of illegal operators, including foreign nationals.
According the group, the substantial sums of money exchanged hands to facilitate the release of the excavators and to protect the operators.
The petition called on EOCO to establish the circumstances surrounding the release of the excavators, trace all financial transactions, and publish its findings transparently.
TEAP stressed that failure to act decisively would embolden corrupt networks and worsen environmental destruction.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
