The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has formally directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to launch investigations into suspected galamsey activities involving two senior officials of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and others.
A letter dated 15th July 2025, addressed to the Executive Director of EOCO, mandates the agency to interrogate Mr. Yakubu Abanga and Mr. Joseph Yamin over their alleged roles in unauthorised mining activities.
The directive, marked with urgency, reflects growing public concern and mounting intelligence suggesting the involvement of influential individuals in unlawful mining operations.
The Attorney-General’s directive emphasized that these activities, popularly known as galamsey, contravene the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995.
He noted that aside from violating mining regulations, galamsey operations severely harm Ghana’s environment, particularly its water bodies, forests, and the livelihoods of rural communities.
“In line with this national stance, and pursuant to your mandate under the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804), I am directing your Office to invite the following persons named in recent credible reports for interrogation, namely, Mr. Yakubu Abanga and Mr. Joseph Yamin,” Dr. Ayine stated in the letter.
He further tasked EOCO to widen the scope of its investigation to include any other persons believed to be complicit in similar unlawful mining activities.
The Attorney-General also urged that the investigation incorporate findings from the much-publicised report by Professor Frimpong-Boateng on illegal mining.
The mention of Joseph Yamin, National Organiser of the NDC, and Yakubu Abanga, a senior executive of the party, has triggered political ripples, with some seeing the move as a major test of Ghana’s political will to combat illegal mining irrespective of political affiliation.
Dr. Ayine reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s consistent stance against illegal mining, reiterating the government’s unwavering commitment to restoring order in the natural resource governance space.
“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 emphasized in the letter.
