Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has formally directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate individuals implicated in illegal mining activities, including two high-profile names following mounting public concern and media reports.
In a letter dated 15th July 2025, addressed to EOCO’s Executive Director, Dr. Ayine instructed the agency to initiate a thorough probe into Mr. Yakubu Abanga and Mr. Joseph Yamin, both of whom were named in recent credible reports as persons of interest in ongoing illegal mining operations within the country’s mining districts.
“These activities not only flout our mining regulations but also gravely endanger our water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods,” the letter read.
The directive, referencing intelligence and media reports, highlights a renewed commitment by government to clamp down on *galamsey*, the term commonly used for unauthorized mining in Ghana which has wreaked environmental havoc and compromised national resources.
Dr. Ayine underscored President Mahama’s continued stance on eradicating illegal mining and restoring order to Ghana’s natural resource sector, stating that this investigation aligns with the government’s broader “reset agenda.”
The Attorney General also encouraged EOCO to go beyond the two named individuals and investigate any other persons found to be complicit in the unlawful mining operations. He further recommended collaboration with the Minerals Commission, particularly its Chief Executive Officer, to ensure full regulatory oversight during the process.
This move comes in the wake of the Prof. Frimpong-Boateng Report, which previously outlined major lapses and alleged complicity of certain individuals in illegal mining networks.
“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,” Dr. Ayine concluded.
The announcement has stirred public interest, with calls for transparency, swift action, and accountability across political and business lines. As investigations begin, many Ghanaians are watching closely to see whether this marks a turning point in the country’s decades-long battle against illegal mining.
