The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has formally ordered the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to launch an in-depth investigation into alleged illegal mining operations involving two senior executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), National Organiser Joseph Yamin and National Vice Chairman Yakubu Abanga.
In a letter dated Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the Attorney-General directed EOCO to invite both individuals for questioning over what he described as “credible reports” implicating them in unauthorised mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey.
“These activities not only flout our mining regulations but also gravely endanger our water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods,” the directive emphasised.
The order follows growing public outrage and sustained media focus on illegal mining’s devastating impact, as well as intelligence briefings suggesting deepening political links to the menace.
Dr. Ayine’s letter further instructed EOCO to widen the scope of the investigation to include any other persons found complicit, with particular reference to findings in the Prof. Frimpong-Boateng report, which detailed systemic failures and political interference in the fight against galamsey.
To ensure thoroughness, the Attorney-General has requested that EOCO work closely with the Minerals Commission, leveraging its regulatory authority to facilitate the investigations.
“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,” Dr. Ayine noted, reinforcing the directive as a key pillar of President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda.
EOCO has been asked to treat the matter with “urgency and seriousness,” in accordance with its powers under the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804), as the government intensifies efforts to bring accountability to the management of Ghana’s natural resources.
