The Convenor of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, has called for the arrest of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Organiser, Joseph Yamin, and the party’s National Vice Chairman, Yakubu Abanga, over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.
Dr. Ashigbey expressed concern about the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO) failure to apprehend the two party executives despite a directive from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, for a full-scale investigation into their alleged roles in galamsey operations.
In a letter dated Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the Attorney-General instructed EOCO to invite Yamin and Abanga for questioning after recent reports implicated them in unauthorised mining activities.
Dr. Ashigbey said the law must be applied without political bias.
“The NDC’s National Organiser, National Vice Chairman, have been pointed out by the AG to investigate them. Unfortunately, EOCO, we have not heard anything from you. Just as they did to Akonta Mining [Chairman Wontumi], they should arrest these two gentlemen and conduct the investigations,” he said.
Dr. Ashigbey maintained that consistent enforcement of the law, irrespective of political affiliation, is critical to winning the fight against galamsey.
Furthermore, he called for the prosecution of the case involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, expressing concern over the silence following his arrest by EOCO.
“We don’t see what is happening to Akonta Mining; he and his other director should be dragged to court,” he stated.
He also urged that the NDC Member of Parliament for Aowin, Oscar Ofori Larbi, be investigated, following allegations by local chiefs linking him to illegal mining activities.
His comments follow the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed eight lives. The victims were on their way to a galamsey-related event when the incident occurred. The government has since announced a renewed crackdown on illegal mining.
