Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has expressed dissatisfaction with what he considers a relatively lenient prison term and fine imposed on Aisha Huang, a Chinese illegal mining figure, by an Accra High Court.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, December 5, Mr. Dame said he intended appealing against the judgment for a stiffer sentence under Act 995 instead of the Act 900 relied on by thr trial judge.

Huang was sentence to a four-and-a-half-year prison term and fined  GH₵48,000.

Mr Dame, however, is of the opinion that Huang's sins must be punished harshly.

While commending the efficiency of the justice delivery system in Aisha Huang's trial, Mr Dame announced plans to test the "soundness" of the trial court's decision by filing an appeal at the Court of Appeal. 

The aim is to ensure that the new sentencing regime imposed by Act 995 is applied to the accused person.

While sentencing the Chinese woman on Monday, 4 December 2023, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, expressed a desire for a more severe sentence if given the authority. 

She emphasised the seriousness of the crimes committed, characterising them as detrimental to the State.

The judge clarified that Huang's prosecution occurred under Act 900, limiting the maximum penalty to five years for engaging in mining activities without a licence.

She expressed regret at not having the authority to impose a heftier sentence and acknowledged the constraints of the Act.

The charges against Aisha Huang included conducting a mining operation without a licence, aiding individuals in mining operations, employing foreigners illegally, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.