By Morkporkpor Anku  

Accra, July 16, GNA – Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Tuesday directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to initiate a full-scale investigation into suspected illegal mining activities involving two National Democratic Congress (NDC) personalities. 

They are Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser, and Yakubu Abanga, National Vice Chairman of the ruling NDC. 

The directive was borne out of growing public concern, corroborated by media reports and intelligence, regarding the involvement of some citizens in unauthorised mining operations (generally called galamsey) that were in blatant contravention of the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995. 

The Minister said those activities not only flouted Ghana’s mining regulations but also gravely endangered her water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods. 

“As Your Office is aware, the President has consistently reiterated his government’s firm commitment to eradicating illegal mining and restoring sanity to the natural resource governance regime in Ghana,” he said. 

Dr Ayine said in line with the national stance, and pursuant to EOCO’s mandate under Act 2010 (Act 804), “I am directing your Office to invite the following persons named in recent credible reports for interrogation namely, Mr Abanga and Mr Yamin.” 

Additionally, they were to investigate any other persons found to be complicit in those unlawful mining activities. 

The scope of the investigation should include the matters highlighted in the Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s Report on illegal mining, Dr Ayine said. 

Considering the regulatory oversight role of the Minerals Commission, they may invite the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission to assist in the investigations, the Minister noted. 

“I trust that EOCO will treat this matter with the urgency and gravity it deserves in order to uphold the rule of law and ensure the integrity of our extractive governance framework,” he said. 

GNA 

Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe