Bureau for Internal Affairs (BIA), a centre for intelligence gathering for public concerns, says it has in its possession, a tape that has captured the fraudulent deals involving some forestry officials and small scale mining operators.

Mr Godfred Nkrumah, Coordinating Director of BIA told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday that the damning tape would be handed over to the Ministry of Lands and Forestry to aid in investigations.

He said the Bureau has also received series of reports from miners in the Ashanti Region of extortion by some forest officials, who take between GH? 50 - GH? 100, before they are allowed to operate in mining concessions. Some also get their excavators seized.

Mr Nkrumah alleged that those who fail to pay are arrested as “galamsey” operators and are made to appear before court.

“BIA’s tape had uncovered a payment deal of GH? 35,000 as part payment of GH? 100,000.

“The Bureau is about to conclude its final report and is ready to share it with the relevant authorities to uncover those behind the deal,” Mr Nkrumah said.

He said the investigations covered Nyinahini, Jakobu, Bekwai and Kobro.