Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has directed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to commence investigations into suspected illegal mining activities allegedly involving key individuals named in recent reports.

The directive, dated July 15, 2025, and addressed to the Executive Director of EOCO, comes in response to growing public concern and intelligence reports linking certain citizens to unauthorised mining operations, commonly known as “galamsey,” which continue to wreak havoc on Ghana’s environment.

Dr. Ayine specifically named Mr. Yakubu Abanga and Mr. Joseph Yamin as individuals to be invited for interrogation, based on “recent credible reports.”

He further instructed EOCO to expand its probe to include any other persons found to be complicit in illegal mining activities. The scope of the investigation is to encompass findings detailed in the renowned Prof. Frimpong-Boateng report on illegal mining.

“These activities not only flout our mining regulations but also gravely endanger our water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods,” the Attorney General stated in the letter.

He emphasised President John Mahama’s firm stance on fighting illegal mining and restoring sanity to Ghana’s natural resource governance.

The letter reinforces the government’s commitment to enforcing mining laws and holding accountable all individuals, regardless of political affiliation or status.

Dr. Ayine also encouraged EOCO to collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, given the Commission’s regulatory oversight role in the mining sector.

The Attorney-General concluded by urging EOCO to treat the matter with urgency and seriousness to protect the integrity of Ghana’s extractive governance framework and uphold the rule of law.