The Attorney-General, Dominic Ayine, has issued a directive to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Organizer Joseph Yamin and Third Vice Chairman Yakubu Abanga over allegations of their involvement in illegal mining activities.
This move, ordered by President John Dramani Mahama on July 13, 2025, signals a renewed commitment to tackling the environmental and economic devastation caused by the unregulated practice, which a 2021 study in *Environmental Science & Policy* linked to a staggering 70% decline in Ghana’s forest cover since 2000.
The investigation draws heavily on Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng’s 2023 report, which exposed widespread bipartisan complicity in galamsey, naming influential figures across political lines. The report, initially commissioned by the Chief of Staff to assess progress in curbing illegal mining, faced significant resistance, including threats of lawsuits from affected mining companies during the previous administration.
Ghana Launches High-Profile Probe into Illegal Mining as Attorney-General Targets NDC Officials
JUST IN: The Attorney-General has directed EOCO to investigate NDC National Organizer Joseph Yamin and Third Vice Chairman Yakubu Abanga over allegations of illegal mining.
The directive also calls for a probe into others found complicit, with specific reference to issues raised… pic.twitter.com/qbvMvesj8p
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) July 15, 2025
Frimpong-Boateng’s findings highlighted how political pressure often shielded economic interests, a challenge that this new probe aims to confront head-on. The inclusion of Yamin and Abanga, key NDC figures, underscores the government’s intent to demonstrate impartiality, though it has already sparked debates about political motivations.
Galamsey’s toll on Ghana’s environment has been profound, with rivers polluted and forests decimated, threatening biodiversity and public health. The practice, a corrupted term for “gather and sell,” involves artisanal miners extracting gold using hazardous methods, often with mercury and arsenic contaminating water supplies. Medical evidence suggests links to neonatal defects and other health issues in mining communities, as noted in a 2023 report by the Ghana Health Service.
The Attorney-General’s directive calls for a thorough probe into all complicit parties, referencing Frimpong-Boateng’s report, which could expand the investigation to include officials from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) as well.
The economic stakes are high, with the Ghana Statistical Service reporting in 2024 that illegal mining contributes approximately $2.3 billion annually to the economy, a figure that complicates enforcement efforts. This reliance on galamsey’s revenue has historically undermined regulatory oversight, with the Minerals Commission struggling to enforce the Minerals and Mining Act of 2006 (Act 703). The current investigation’s inclusion of the Commission could expose systemic failures, including inadequate licensing and monitoring of small-scale mining operations, which are legally restricted to Ghanaian citizens over 18 but often exploited by foreign actors.
Environmental advocates, including @MaameEsiGold, emphasize the need for bipartisan accountability, noting that Frimpong-Boateng’s report named four NPP officials now slated for investigation in EOCO’s expanded August 2025 probe. The discourse reflects a broader demand for governance that prioritizes Ghana’s ecological future over political gain.
As the investigation unfolds, the government faces pressure to balance economic interests with environmental restoration. The Attorney-General’s directive mandates EOCO to submit findings that could lead to prosecutions, potentially reshaping the political landscape ahead of future elections. With the Minerals Commission’s role under scrutiny, there is hope that this probe might spur reforms, such as mandatory ISO certifications for extractive industries, a policy floated by the Minister of Trade and Industry in October 2023 to align with international standards.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on EOCO as it navigates this high-stakes investigation. For a nation endowed with gold, diamonds, and bauxite, the outcome could determine whether Ghana can break free from the cycle of illegal mining or remain ensnared by its economic and political complexities. As midnight approaches on this pivotal night, the fight for Ghana’s environmental and governance future hangs in the balance.
