In a striking instance of political lines being crossed by blood ties, Fuseini Yakubu Abanga, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 parliamentary candidate for Aowin, publicly came to the defense of his twin brother, Alhassan Yakubu Abanga, a top official in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who is currently under investigation for alleged involvement in illegal gold mining activities, commonly referred to in Ghana as "galamsey."
Speaking during an interview with Joy News at the NPP’s National Delegates Congress on Saturday,July 19, Mr. Abanga acknowledged the political sensitivity surrounding the case but emphasized the importance of separating personal integrity from partisan accusations.
“I can’t defend any NDC person,” the NPP candidate stated, aligning himself with his party’s broader stance. “But I’ve never seen him doing galamsey. I know him to be a legitimate man who holds concessions.”
Mr. Abanga’s remarks offer a rare familial counter-narrative to a politically charged scandal that has sent ripples through both major parties. His brother, Alhassan Abanga—who currently serves as the NDC’s Third National Vice Chairman—is alleged to have backed unauthorized task forces masquerading as anti-galamsey units, accused of unlawfully seizing mining sites in Ghana’s Ashanti and Western regions.
The controversy lands at a time when former President and current NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has elevated the fight against illegal mining to a national emergency. Under his renewed anti-galamsey campaign, state authorities have ramped up military operations, while the Attorney General’s Office and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) have launched investigations into rogue operators—including Mr. Abanga.
The unfolding probe into a senior party official comes as both the NPP and NDC attempt to position themselves as tough on illegal mining ahead of the 2024 general elections. Yet Mr. Abanga cautioned against politicizing the issue or engaging in premature judgments.
“To me, as an NPP, I’m happy—it gives us ammunition to speak to Ghanaians about the NDC’s failures,” he said. “But at the same time, I believe we should proceed carefully. Due process matters.”
He expressed concern over public comments made by the Attorney General, suggesting that describing the evidence as “credible” prior to a full investigation amounted to a subjective call. “He should have taken time to engage the accused, to know whether it’s true or not,” Mr. Abanga said.
The parliamentary hopeful emphasized the need for lawful procedures and cautioned against internal party infighting, both within the NDC and the broader political landscape. “If anyone is above the law, that’s a threat to the whole system,” he said. “So if the evidence is truly credible, then implement the law—fairly and fully.”
