The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has instructed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into alleged illegal mining activities involving Joseph Yamin, the National Organiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Yakubu Abanga, the party’s National Vice Chairman.
In an official letter dated Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Dr. Ayine directed EOCO to summon both individuals for questioning over their suspected involvement in unauthorized small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
This directive comes in response to heightened public concern, intelligence briefings, and widespread media reports about the environmental and social impact of illegal mining. The Attorney-General’s letter emphasized that such activities violate national mining laws and severely threaten Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and the livelihoods of rural communities.
Dr. Ayine also instructed EOCO to widen the investigation to include any other individuals implicated, with particular attention to findings outlined in the Prof. Frimpong-Boateng report on illegal mining.
He further called for close collaboration with the CEO of the Minerals Commission to ensure regulatory support throughout the investigative process.
This action forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda, which aims to restore order and discipline in the governance of Ghana’s natural resources and intensify efforts to eliminate illegal mining.
“The President remains fully committed to ending illegal mining and restoring integrity to our natural resource management system,” Dr. Ayine affirmed.
EOCO has been urged to handle the matter with urgency and diligence, in line with its responsibilities under the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804).
