The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has revealed that more than 850 individuals are currently being prosecuted for their alleged involvement in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. This announcement follows increasing concerns about the destructive effects of galamsey on the country’s water bodies and forest reserves.
Speaking at the 2024/2025 annual general conference of the Ghana Bar Association, Yeboah Dame revealed that 140 cases of illegal mining are being investigated across five regions: Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater, and Upper East. He highlighted the challenges faced by prosecutors in court but emphasised that progress has been made, with 76 convictions secured since August 2021, including that of notorious Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang.
Yeboah Dame assured that the government is committed to tackling the galamsey menace, with stiff penalties imposed on convicts, including minimum sentences of 15 years and hefty fines for non-Ghanaians. The Attorney General noted that some cases are nearing conclusion, and expressed confidence that the judiciary will continue to play a crucial role in combating illegal mining.
“Illegal mining, galamsey, continues to cause damage to our forest reserves and water bodies. In the teeth of the difficulties prosecutors encounter in the courts in the prosecution of illegal mining offences, the criminal division has enjoyed some success, even though there is still room for more to be done.
“From August 2021 till date, at least 76 persons including 18 foreigners have been convicted. they include the acclaimed Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang who was convicted on December 4, 2023, of offences committed between 2014 and 2016 in the era of the previous government.
“Most of the convicts were sentenced under the new law Act 995 for a minimum of 15 years plus a hefty fine for non-Ghanaians. A minimum of 15 years plus a heavy fine in the case of a non-Ghanaian and a minimum of 20 years plus a fine for a non-Ghanaian.
“Currently, over 140 cases of illegal mining involving over 850 accused persons are being prosecuted in court in the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater and Upper East regions of Ghana. Some are near conclusion.”
By: Hamdia Mohammed
