The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has instructed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate two senior executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) over suspected involvement in illegal mining activities.
In a letter dated July 15, 2025, Dr. Ayine directed EOCO to invite National Organizer Joseph Yamin and Third National Vice Chairman Yakubu Abanga for questioning.
The directive follows mounting public concern and intelligence reports suggesting that the two may be linked to unauthorised mining operations — commonly known as “galamsey” — in various parts of the country.
The move is in response to allegations by the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, which accused the two NDC officials of backing a rogue anti-galamsey taskforce reportedly operating in collaboration with some national security operatives.
The taskforce, according to the group, has been terrorising legitimate miners and engaging in extortion.
Dr. Ayine stated that the probe should also explore findings contained in the controversial report authored by former Environment Minister Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, which highlighted widespread complicity in illegal mining across political and institutional lines.
“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 noted in the letter.
He emphasized that EOCO should expand its investigation to include any individuals found complicit in similar illegal activities and work closely with the Minerals Commission, whose regulatory oversight is central to the process.
The directive marks the first major anti-galamsey probe under President John Mahama’s second term and is being viewed as a crucial test of his “Reset Agenda,” which promises institutional accountability, environmental protection, and rule of law.
“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,” Dr. Ayine added.
