Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to commence a full-scale investigation into alleged illegal mining activities involving two senior executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The individuals under scrutiny are Joseph Yamin, National Organiser of the NDC, and Yakubu Abanga, the party’s National Vice Chairman. In a letter dated Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Dr. Ayine instructed EOCO to formally invite the two for interrogation over their suspected involvement in unauthorised mining operations, commonly known as galamsey.
“These activities not only flout our mining regulations but also gravely endanger our water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods,” the letter emphasized.
The directive comes amid growing national concern over the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining. It also follows heightened media coverage and intelligence reports pointing to the continued degradation of forest reserves and contamination of water bodies across the country.
In addition to probing the named individuals, the Attorney-General asked EOCO to widen its investigation to include all others potentially complicit in the illegal mining network. Particular emphasis is to be placed on issues raised in the report compiled by Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, former chair of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining.
Dr. Ayine further urged EOCO to work closely with the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, noting the Commission’s crucial role in regulating mining activities in Ghana.
This move forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader Reset Agenda, which is focused on restoring discipline and accountability in Ghana’s natural resource governance.
“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,” the Attorney-General stated.
EOCO has been directed to handle the matter with urgency and in strict accordance with its mandate under the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804).
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