'Galamsey Is Not Part of My DNA . . . I Have No Interest' - Baako Refutes Ken Agyapong's Claims

Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Kweku Baako Jnr has strongly refuted claims that he is involved in illegal mining popularly known as 'Galamsey'.

"Illegal mining is not part of my DNA. I have never engaged in illegal mining…I don’t even understand it. I have never and will never engage in illegal mining; it cannot happen and it will not happen," he told Kwami Sefa Kayi.

The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong had alleged earlier this week that the seasoned journalist, together with a couple of well-known figures in the media, are involved in galamsey.

According to him, “I have dig Kweku Baako and his boy (Anas) very well. I have documents to suggest that he owns a mining company called C&J and he has been managing this company for years."

But contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Kweku Baako said even though he has heard of the company (C&G Aleksa Mining Company) he is not the owner neither is he the manager.

"I know about that company (C&G), I got to know about that company in September 2016 because they were a victim of galamsey operations in that place where Major Mahama was killed.

“They were a lot of intrigues within the Mahama administration and the Minerals Commission against that company.

“The company brought a petition . . . and they called my attention to it and I made sure that petition was sent to President Mahama, and I, I called President Mahama and told him of the illegal minning activities going on there with his own people in charge.

He disclosed that the ruling NPP also got themselves involved in the canker immediately after the 2016 election declaration.

"When the NPP was declared winners, the day of declaration, the NPP guys in that constituency invaded the concession, burnt cars and things because they claimed it belonged to the NDC.

“The NPP element also took over the Galamsey operations in the forest, these are facts, these are documented, they are on audio, they are on video, those who were interrogated and things are all here," he told Kwami Sefa Kayi.

“A similar petition, a petition that was sent to President Mahama also I sent to President Akufo-Addo. I facilitated the transmission of that,” he added.

Kweku Baako suspects that because of the ongoing investigations on Galamsey "some people are afraid", as such making those irrelevant and baseless statements.

“My loyalty to Akufo-Addo is irrevisible and irrevocable, but I have no such loyalty to all the people around him or out there, no way, integrity first, justice first. So when the time comes, whoever falls falls, it’s as simple as that," Kweku Baako said.