Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng has denied involvement in the missing excavator's brouhaha, stressing that he has never done anything wrong, and is saddened that he is been linked to the alleged illegality.

Speaking to journalists after the State of the Nation Address by the President yesterday, Prof Frimpong Boateng denied any involvement whatsoever in illegal mining (galamsey) maintaining that the fight against galamsey has been 70% successful contrary to assertions that it has been a failure.

“Look at me; I’ve not taken a bribe before. I’ve not extorted money from anyone before. I’ve not done anything wrong before and it saddens my heart that people can associate me with illegality. This is wrong,” he lamented with apparent anguish.

To demonstrate his commitment and sacrifice to Ghana, he recalled how he returned from Germany to Ghana to establish the National Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital single-handedly.

Prof Frimpong Boateng who is the head of government’s initiative to fight illegal mining has been accused of being involved himself and facilitating for his son to engage in illegal mining as well.

But he strenuously denied allegations that his son is involved in illegal mining, stressing that “he is not involved in anything and the world will get to know very soon”.