The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has instructed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to initiate a comprehensive investigation into alleged illegal mining activities involving Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the ruling NDC, and Yakubu Abanga, the National Vice Chairman.
In a letter dated Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the Attorney-General directed EOCO to summon the two individuals mentioned in recent reports for questioning regarding their suspected involvement in unauthorised mining operations, commonly known as galamsey. This directive comes in response to growing public concern, intelligence assessments, and widespread media coverage of illegal mining, which poses a significant threat to Ghana’s water bodies, forest reserves, and rural livelihoods.
The letter emphasised, “These activities not only violate our mining regulations but also severely endanger our water bodies, forest reserves, and local communities.”
Dr. Ayine also asked EOCO to broaden its probe to cover other persons found complicit, with special attention to issues raised in the Prof. Frimpong-Boateng report on illegal mining. Additionally, the Attorney-General called for collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, given the agency’s regulatory role, to support and guide the investigative process.
This move aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda, which seeks to restore discipline to Ghana’s natural resource governance and eliminate illegal mining across the country. “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,” the Attorney-General stated. EOCO has been urged to treat the matter with urgency and seriousness, in line with its mandate under the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804).
By: Abigail Arthur
