Dr Ken Ashigbey is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has called on the ruling government to take immediate action to investigate and prosecute politically exposed persons of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) allegedly implicated in illegal mining activities.

Addressing the media on Thursday, June 19, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr Ken Ashigbey, stated that despite efforts by the President and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to combat illegal mining (galamsey), some individuals affiliated with the ruling party are still profiting significantly from the practice.

He mentioned the constituency chairpersons of the party in Axim and Dunkwa, as well as the Member of Parliament for Aowin, Oscar Larbi, condemning their actions, which he described as 'hypocrisy'.

“We have, however, observed and condemned resoundingly the alarming pattern of some officials from the ruling NDC being involved in illegal mining. After the unresolved case of Hon Oscar Larbi, MP for Aowin, we have a petition with His Excellency the President that he has acknowledged receipt of.

“New reports implicate the NDC constituency chairpersons in Axim and Dunkwa of being deeply involved in galamsey operation. This hypocrisy is unacceptable. While the NDC leadership under his Excellency the president publicly condemned illegal mining, the honorable minister of lands and natural resources and IGP have demonstrated positive actions to deal with the scourge of galamsey, however, some of their local officials allegedly profits from it,” he said.

Following these revelations, the group is demanding immediate and decisive action to bring the individuals involved to book, including public disciplinary measures against any implicated party officials found culpable.

Additionally, they are calling for a comprehensive investigation into all individuals named by Professor Frimpong-Boateng of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), without any political protection or interference.

“We demand, one, that immediate investigations into the case of Honorable Oscar Larbi MP for Aowin and the chiefs that have accused him that he has counter accused and these two constituency chairpersons of Axim and Dunkwa, by the police and national security, ensuring complete transparency and no room for political protection,” he demanded.

He added, “Two, public disciplinary action by the NDC if any of these allegations are proven. Three, investigations of all mentioned in the Professor Frimpong Boateng report. There are a lot of politically exposed persons who have been mentioned in that report, and that should be looked into. And finally, transparent prosecution with no political protection.”

MAG/MA

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