Ekow Ewusi became a subject of interest after some 500 excavators got missing from the depots.
He alleged that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) agreed to operate galamsey to finance the party.
The Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng issued a letter directing the Criminal Investigation Department to arrest and interrogate him after learning that former Vice Chairman of the NPP in the C/R, Horace Ekow Ewusi had sold some of the confiscated equipment from illegal miners.
The suspects arrested included Ekow Ewusi.
The other five are Frederick Ewusi, Joel Asamoah, Adam Haruna, Frank Gyan, and John Arhin.
The police cautioned Ekow Ewusi, Frederick Ewusi, and Joel Asamoah on the offense of stealing whilst Adnan Haruna, Frank Gyan and John Arhin have been cautioned on the offense of abetment of stealing.
The Police in a statement said the suspects were arrested on Monday, February 3, 2020, at Abelemkpe in Accra. All the suspects are in police custody.
But an audio recording surfaced online with the voice of Ekow Ewusi and Prof. Frimpong Boateng.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng in the recording is heard allegedly agreeing to the request of his party folks; the green light to engage in galamsey.
"...Did you tell me that you are done forming the team? We talked about the framework...we all know that the party needs money...I told you that Chairman Wontumi has some concession so go there and inspect the place...but after the meeting, you told me that you are done with everything and your guys have started working..." Prof.Frimpong-Boateng is heard on the recording.
Ekow Ewusi on his part said Elvis Morris Donkor, the Member of Parliament for Abura, Asebu, Kwamankese (AAK), had also requested an excavator from the Minister [Frimpong-Boateng] to use on some galamsey sites.
He stated: "The last time you met my MP [Elvis Donkor] in Parliament, he told you that he will also need a machine to work with and you even asked him to come and see me because I have a lot of these excavators."
But the Minister, however, denied knowing the said MP for Abura, Asebu, Kwamankese (AAK).
"I don’t even know this Elvis Donkor you are talking about, who is he? I don’t know him...where did he say I met him?"
"Ekow please go away...don’t annoy me today. Please walk out...the way you are talking I don’t like it...you can’t come here to accuse me. You go when I’m ready I’ll call you...I’m doing something for tomorrow...
"Ekow please go away...don’t annoy me today. Please walk out…the way you are talking I don’t like it…You can't come here to accuse me. You go when I’m ready I’ll call you…I’m doing something for tomorrow…" an angry Prof Frimpong-Boateng said.
Listen to the audio below: