The former chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, was detained for his involvement in the committee's work.

On May 16, per reports, Professor Frimpong was informed of his arrest during interrogation with officers at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

The arrest centres on alleged ¢320 million spent by the Committee but yet to be accounted for.

IMCIM was established government to clamp down on illegal small mining also known as galamsey which was causing havoc to the country’s water resources and lands.

JoyNews sources say he is to account for drones and other equipment bought to be used for the fight against galamsey.

He is on a ¢5 million bail.

Last month, the OSP invited Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng over alleged corruption in the activities of the defunct IMCIM.

The renowned surgeon was invited as “a person necessary for investigations” into the allegations and was expected to assist the Office investigate the claims.

In January 2021, President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo dissolved the Committee on Illegal Mining which

The President’s decision was to move the fight against illegal mining from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry.