A prominent anti-illegal mining campaigner is calling for the arrest of two senior opposition figures in Ghana, citing what he describes as selective enforcement of laws surrounding the country’s ongoing struggle with illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition, criticized the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for what he alleges is a failure to act on directives issued by the Attorney-General regarding two high-ranking members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In a letter dated July 15, Attorney-General Dominic Akuritinga Ayine instructed EOCO to investigate NDC National Organiser Joseph Yamin and National Vice Chairman Yakubu Abanga over suspected involvement in illegal mining operations. The directive followed reports implicating the two in unauthorized mining activities.
“To date, we’ve heard nothing from EOCO,” Dr. Ashigbey said during an appearance Monday on Channel One TV’s The Point of View. “Just as they moved to arrest those connected with Akonta Mining, the same should apply here. The law must be enforced without regard to political stripes.”
Akonta Mining, a firm linked to Bernard Antwi-Boasiako—better known as “Chairman Wontumi,” the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)—has also been under scrutiny for alleged galamsey activities. Dr. Ashigbey criticized the government’s handling of that case as well, pointing to a lack of follow-through following EOCO’s initial action against Wontumi.
“We are yet to see any meaningful prosecution. He and other directors of the company should be brought before the courts,” Ashigbey said.
He also urged authorities to open an inquiry into allegations involving Oscar Ofori Larbi, the NDC Member of Parliament for Aowin, following claims by local chiefs linking the legislator to illegal mining activities.
Dr. Ashigbey’s comments come in the wake of a helicopter crash on August 6 that killed eight people en route to an event reportedly tied to illegal mining. The incident has sparked renewed public outcry and prompted the government to announce a fresh crackdown on galamsey operations.
With Ghana’s gold-rich lands continuing to attract unregulated mining, the battle over enforcement has become increasingly politicized. Activists warn that inconsistent application of the law threatens to undermine the country’s environmental integrity and the credibility of its anti-corruption institutions.
“The fight against galamsey will only be won when justice is applied evenly,” Ashigbey said.
