Attorney-General Targets Illegal Mining Allegations
Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on July 15, 2025, to investigate NDC Vice Chairman Abanga Yakubu Alhassan and National Organiser Joseph Yamin for alleged involvement in illegal mining, or galamsey, following public concerns and media reports. The probe, aligning with President John Mahama’s anti-galamsey agenda, will also cover others implicated, referencing Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng’s report, as reported by GhanaWeb.
The directive urges EOCO to engage the Minerals Commission’s CEO for regulatory insights, emphasizing the environmental damage to water bodies and forests. Both Yamin and Abanga denied allegations by the Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana (CSSMAG), which claimed they backed a rogue anti-galamsey taskforce extorting miners in Sekondi, Bekwai, Offinso, and Prestea. Abanga, a licensed miner, challenged accusers to provide evidence, alleging defamation.

Mahama’s July 13, 2025, letter via Ayine reinforces the GOLDBOD Task Force’s efforts, launched July 9, to curb illegal mining with military and police oversight. CSSMAG’s claims include a misattributed Mobile Money number, registered to Roland Agudogo, not Andrew Abban, highlighting inconsistencies. The investigation aims to restore governance in mining, amid concerns over a July 14 okada rider linked to a rogue task force.