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Charles Bissue clarifies GH¢20,000 payment in 'Galamsey Fraud' video, denies bribery
via GhanaWeb6 min read
Charles Cromwell Nanabayin Onuawonto Bissue, former Secretary for the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining IMCIM, has addressed the GH¢20,000 seen in the 'Galamsey Fraud' video, stating it was not a bribe. In an interview on July 6, 2026, Bissue explained that the money was an expected contribution from Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako Chairman Wontumi, to support a New Patriotic Party NPP program in the Western Region. Bissue, who was then the NPP's Western Regional Secretary, said Chairman Wontumi had promised the money, which was delivered by his personal assistant, Andy, who arrived with the undercover journalist. Bissue claimed that Chairman Wontumi, former Minister Joe Ghartey, and he personally contributed GH¢20,000, GH¢20,000, and GH¢30,000 respectively, to the Western Regional Organizer, Abdul Ganiru, for the program. He added that all three later provided statements to the Office of the Special Prosecutor OSP confirming the money's purpose. Bissue also asserted that the IMCIM did not issue mining licenses, and his role was to ensure proper vetting processes. He further claimed to have rejected a $500,000 bribe for illegal mining two weeks before the video's release. Bissue is currently on trial for allegedly receiving GH¢35,000 from Benjamin Adjapong to facilitate the renewal of an expired mining license for ORR Resources Limited.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
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