The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, has directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate some individuals who are reported to have engaged in illegal mining activities.
This is contained in a letter sighted by 3news.
In the letter dated July 15, Dr Ayine wrote “I write to direct your esteemed office to initiate investigations into suspected illegal mining
activities being perpetrated by certain individuals within mining districts in the country. This directive is borne out of growing public concern, corroborated by media reports and intelligence, regarding the involvement of some citizens in unauthorized mining operations (generally called galamsey) that are in blatant contravention of the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995.”
He named the individuals involved as Mr Yakubu Abanga and Joseph Yamin.
“As Your Office is aware, H.E. 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.
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,” the Attorney General stated.
Read full letter below:
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ECONOMIC AND ORGANISED CRIME OFFICE (EOCO)
NO. 18 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE
ACCRA, GHANA
July 15, 2025
Dear Executive Director,
DIRECTIVE TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES BY NAMED INDIVIDUALS
I write to direct your esteemed office to initiate investigations into suspected illegal mining activities being perpetrated by certain individuals within mining districts in the country.
This directive is borne out of growing public concern, corroborated by media reports and intelligence, regarding the involvement of some citizens in unauthorized mining operations (generally called galamsey) that are in blatant contravention of the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995. These activities not only flout our mining regulations but also gravely endanger our water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods.
As Your Office is aware, H.E. 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. 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.
Additionally, you are to investigate any other persons found to be complicit in these unlawful mining activities. The scope of this investigation should include the matters highlighted in the Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s report on illegal mining.
Furthermore, considering the regulatory oversight role of the Minerals Commission, you may invite the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission to assist in the investigations.
I trust that EOCO will treat this matter with the urgency and gravity it deserves in order to uphold the rule of law and ensure the integrity of our extractive governance framework.
Yours in the Service of the Republic.
DR. DOMINIC AKURITINGA AYINE (MP)
ATTORNEY GENERAL & MINISTER FOR JUSTICE
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