Member of Parliament for Talensi BT Baba has debunked a national security confidential report accusing him of illegally owning and mining in the Upper East Region.
The enigmatic lawmaker, sports administrator admitted owning a small scale mine in the Upper East Region and engaging in same but said his documents are completely legal.
Ghana’s laws allow small-scale mining but a number of the small scale miners are deemed to be engaging in illegal mining popularly known as galamsey which has polluted rivers in Ghana, destroyed farmlands and the environment in general.
BT, together with other high profile personalities including a New Patriotic Party financier Bunyak Kolog better known as Polo were named as patrons and financiers of the of illegal concessions along the White Volta in Gbani, Blung and Datoku in the Upper East Region.
The report which was intercepted by Joy News, Friday also cited Ghana’s military and other security personnel of guarding and protecting illegal miners.
The report has left many anti-galamsey campaigners shocked but vindicated at the same time knowing too well that the canker of galamsey is always supported by powerful, influential often unnamed personalities.
Speaking to Joy News Editor Dzifa Bampoh on Top Story, Friday, hours after the report was made public, the Talensi MP BT Baba flatly denied engaging in illegal galamsey but admitted owning license and a concession which were legally acquired.
“The report is a fallacy,” he jabbed insisting that the information provided in the report is “completely false.”
“I started requesting for a mining license in 2010…It took me four years to be able to get a license in 11 February 2014 which expires in 2019,” he said.
“I have genuine license as a small scale miner,” he said, adding, “the small scale license is duly signed and registered by the high court of Ghana.
He also admitted the concession was being mined until 2016 when they stopped work.
According to him, the work was stopped when he became an MP because he didn’t have time to combine the small mining business with that of Parliament.
Asked if his license has been ratified by Parliament, the MP said no small-scale miner holds a license ratified by Parliament.
His explanation contradicts Article 268 (1) of the 1992 Constitution which states that; “Any transaction, contract or undertaking involving the grant of a right or concession by or on behalf of any person, including the Government of Ghana, to any other person or body of persons howsoever described, for the exploitation of any mineral, water or other natural resource of Ghana made or entered into after the coming into force of this Constitution shall be subject to ratification by Parliament.”
BT Baba said until work was put on hold, his workers were given instructions on what to do and they complied with the law.
He said the minerals mined from the concession was sold to the Precious Minerals Marketing.
He challenged the National Security to provide all the information it has about him and he will adequately respond to each one of them.
By: myjoyonline.com/Ghana
