Former Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Charles Cromwell Nanabanyin Onuawonto Bissue, has responded to legal action initiated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), describing the charges against him as baseless and vowing to contest them in court.
The OSP has filed a writ to commence prosecution against Bissue and Mr. Andy Thomas Owusu on allegations including the misuse of public office for profit and corruption.
The charges stem from the high-profile 2019 “Galamsey Fraud” investigation by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his Tiger Eye P.I. team, which captured alleged misconduct related to illegal mining operations.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, Bissue firmly denied any wrongdoing, insisting he had always upheld the law and ethical standards during his tenure in public service.
“For the record, I categorically assert that I have always acted in full compliance with both the legal and ethical obligations of the office I held and the laws of the Republic of Ghana,” he said. “Any suggestion of misconduct is baseless and will be vigorously challenged through due process.”
Bissue welcomed the OSP’s decision to move forward with the case after more than five years of deliberation but demanded transparency. He called on the Special Prosecutor to present the court with the full, unedited version of the Tiger Eye documentary to ensure that the evidence is not misrepresented.
“Ghanaians deserve access to the unvarnished truth and factual evidence, free from distortion or misdirection by external narratives or selective interpretations,” he stated.
He also noted the significance of the case proceeding under a new administration, arguing that this underscores the importance of judicial impartiality.
While expressing hope for a fair trial, Bissue urged the public to avoid rushing to conclusions and to respect the judicial process.
“I remain fully committed to cooperating with the proceedings and trust that the courts will adjudicate this matter impartially and conclusively,” he concluded.
The “Galamsey Fraud” exposé has remained a point of national debate since its release, raising concerns about corruption in the fight against illegal mining and drawing criticism from political and civil society circles alike.
