The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to launch investigations into alleged illegal mining activities involving certain individuals within mining districts across Ghana.
In an official letter dated July 15th 2025 and addressed to the Executive Director of EOCO, Dr. Ayine instructed the agency to initiate investigations into the activities of citizens reportedly engaged in unauthorized mining operations, popularly known as galamsey. The directive comes amid growing public concern and corroborating media reports about the environmental damage caused by illegal mining and its threat to local livelihoods.
Citing the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by Act 995, the Attorney General noted that such activities not only flout mining regulations but also pose severe risks to water bodies, forest reserves, and communities dependent on these resources.
The letter specifically mentioned two individuals, NDC’s national Organizer Joseph Yamin and third vice chairman Yakubu Abanga for immediate interrogation, based on credible intelligence. EOCO has also been tasked to investigate any other persons who may be complicit in similar unlawful mining operations. The Attorney General further instructed that the investigations should cover issues highlighted in the report on illegal mining authored by Prof. Frimpong Boateng.
Dr. Ayine reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating illegal mining and restoring order to Ghana’s natural resource governance, consistent with the President’s stance on the issue. He touched on the need for EOCO to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the Minerals Commission to ensure a thorough probe.
“The scope of this investigation should include the matters highlighted in the Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s report on illegal mining,” the letter read, adding that the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission may be invited to assist with the investigations.
The Attorney General concluded by urging EOCO to uphold the rule of law and protect the integrity of the country’s extractive governance framework.
