The Attorney General has directed the country’s anti-corruption agency to investigate two prominent individuals, Joseph Yamin and Yakubu Abanga, over allegations of illegal gold mining, underscoring the government’s efforts to crack down on so-called galamsey operations that have plagued the West African nation.
In a letter dated July 15, Attorney General Dominic Ayine instructed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to launch a formal probe into Joseph Yamin and Yakubu Abanga, citing credible intelligence and media reports linking both men to unauthorized mining activity.
“I write to direct your esteemed office to initiate investigations into suspected illegal mining activities,” Dr. Ayine wrote, pointing to widespread violations of the country’s mining laws and growing public concern over environmental damage.
Mr. Yamin is a senior official of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a former deputy minister. He and Mr. Abanga are alleged to have been involved in operations that breach Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act.
The directive is the latest move in President John Dramani Mahama’s ongoing campaign to combat illegal mining, which has drawn criticism at home and abroad for its devastating environmental toll and lax enforcement. In his letter, the Attorney General reaffirmed the administration’s “firm commitment to eradicating illegal mining and restoring sanity to the natural resource governance regime.”
EOCO, established to investigate and prosecute financial and organized crimes, has been given authority under the EOCO Act of 2010 to interrogate the two individuals. Neither EOCO nor the individuals named have commented publicly on the matter.
Illegal gold mining remains one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental and economic challenges, as small-scale, unauthorized operations have flourished despite periodic government crackdowns. Critics have questioned the consistency of enforcement, often accusing the government of targeting political opponents.
The investigation into Mr. Yamin marks a potentially high-profile test of the government’s pledge to apply the law evenly—regardless of political affiliation.
